Foldable device

ABSTRACT

A foldable device includes: a flexible display including: a first part; a second part; and a third part provided between the first and second parts; a first body supporting the first part; and a second body supporting the second part, each of the first and second body are configured to move between a first and a second position, in response to each of the first and second bodies being provided in the first position, the first body and the second body form a receiving space, the third part forms a curved portion of the flexible display and the curved portion is provided within the receiving space, and wherein the first part is configured to move in a longitudinal direction of the flexible display with respect to the first body in response to the first and second bodies moving between the first and second positions.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Continuation Application of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 15/707,654, filed on Sep. 18, 2017, which is aDivisional Application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/752,101,filed on Jun. 26, 2015, in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, nowU.S. Pat. No. 9,791,892, issued on Oct. 17, 2017, which claims thebenefit of U.S. Patent Provisional Application No. 62/018,112, filed onJun. 27, 2014, in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, and claimspriority from Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0101795, filed onAug. 7, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, and KoreanPatent Application No. 10-2015-0073094, filed on May 26, 2015, in theKorean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosures of which are hereinincorporated by reference in their entireties.

BACKGROUND 1. Field

Apparatuses and methods consistent with exemplary embodiments relate toa foldable device including a flexible display.

2. Description of the Related Art

A portable foldable device (hereinafter, referred to as a mobile device)such as a communication terminal, a game player, a multimedia device, aportable computer, or a photographing apparatus includes a displaydevice that displays image information and an input unit such as akeypad. Many mobile devices described above may include a foldablestructure that may fold into a smaller size in order to improveportability. In such foldable mobile devices, two bodies are connectedto each other using the foldable structure. Because a display of thefoldable mobile device of the related art may not fold, the display ofthe foldable mobile device may be disposed on only one of the twobodies. Hence, it is difficult to incorporate a large display on amobile device including a foldable structure.

As flexible displays have been developed, attempts have been made toapply the flexible display device to a mobile device including afoldable structure. In such attempts, because the flexible displaydevice may be disposed over two bodies to extend through the foldablestructure, a larger screen may be provided. However, although theflexible display device may be bendable, if the flexible display deviceis sharply bent, the flexible display device itself may be damaged.Hence, a curved portion having a predetermined curvature is formed at acenter of the flexible display device when the flexible display devicefolds. In this case, however, when the flexible display device is foldedfor a long time and then is unfolded, the curved portion may not be ableto be spread flat.

SUMMARY

Aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments provide a foldable devicethat may reduce a compressive force and a tensile force applied to aflexible display during a folding/unfolding process.

Aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments provide a foldable devicethat may reduce a space between a flexible display and first and secondbodies during a folding/unfolding process.

Aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments provide a foldable devicethat may enable a curved portion of a flexible display to maintain anatural curve shape at a predetermined unfolding angle between a foldedposition and an unfolded position.

Aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments provide a foldable devicethat may cover a gap formed between a flexible display device and firstand second bodies during a folding/unfolding process.

Aspects of one or more exemplary embodiments provide a foldable devicethat may be maintained at a predetermined unfolding angle.

According to an aspect of an exemplary embodiment, there is provided afoldable device including: a flexible display including a first part, asecond part, and a third part disposed between the first part and thesecond part; a first body configured to support the first part; and asecond body foldably connected to the first part and configured tosupport the second part. The first body and the second body may beconfigured to be disposed in a folded position and an unfolded position.When the first body and the second body are disposed in the foldedposition, the first body and the second body may form a receiving space.When the first body and the second body are disposed in the foldedposition, the third part may form a curved portion of the flexibledisplay and the curved portion may be disposed within the receivingspace. The first body may be configured to support the first part suchthat the first part may be moved in a longitudinal direction of theflexible display.

The second part may be fixed to the second body.

The foldable device may further include a controller configured tocontrol an operation of the foldable device; and a signal lineconnecting the flexible display and the controller. The controller maybe disposed within the second body.

The foldable device may further include a battery configured to supplypower to the controller and the flexible display. The battery may bedisposed within the first body.

The first body may include: a fixed frame; a movable frame to which thefirst part of the flexible display is fixed; a first rail provided onthe movable frame; and a second rail provided on the fixed frame,coupled to the first rail, and configured to support the movable frameso that the movable frame may be moved with respect to the fixed frame.

The foldable device may further include a friction reducing memberdisposed between the fixed frame and the movable frame and configured toreduce friction between the movable frame and the fixed frame.

The friction reducing member may include a film and be attached to thefixed frame.

The first body further may include a base cover secured to the fixedframe by a fastening member. The fixed frame may include an openingthrough which the fastening member passes. The base cover and the fixedframe may form a receiving space for an electrical circuit. The frictionreducing member may cover the opening.

The foldable device may further include a rail member coupled to thefixed frame and forming the second rail.

A fastening member may couple the rail member to the fixed frame. Thefixed frame may include a fastening hole having a closed lower endportion to which the fastening member attaches.

The first body may include a base cover coupled to the fixed frame, thebase cover and the fixed frame may form a receiving space for anelectrical circuit, and the electrical circuit includes a batteryconfigured to supply power to the flexible display.

The foldable device may further include a controller disposed within thesecond body and configured to control an operation of the foldabledevice. The battery may be configured to supply power to the flexibledisplay through the controller.

The foldable device may further include a stop configured to limit amovement range of the first part of the flexible display.

The stop may be configured to allow the first part of the flexibledisplay to move only when an unfolding angle of the first and secondbodies is equal to or greater than a movement limiting angle.

The movement limiting angle is equal to or greater than 90°.

The movement limiting angle is equal to or greater than 120°.

The first body may include: a movable frame to which the first part ofthe flexible display is fixed; and a fixed frame configured to supportthe movable frame so that the movable frame may move in the longitudinaldirection. The stop may be configured to contact the movable frame atthe movement limiting angle.

The foldable device may further include a resistance member configuredto apply a force against a movement of the first part of the flexibledisplay with respect to the first body when the first and second bodieschange from the unfolded position to the folded position.

The foldable device may further include a stop configured to allow thefirst part of the flexible display to move only when an unfolding angleof the first and second bodies is equal to or greater than a movementlimiting angle. The resistance member may be configured to apply theforce against the movement of the first part of the flexible displayonly when the unfolding angle is equal to or greater than the movementlimiting angle.

As an unfolding angle of the first and second bodies decreases, theresistance member may apply a higher force against the movement of thefirst part of the flexible display.

The foldable device may further include a shield provided on the firstand second bodies and configured to cover a side portion of the thirdpart when the first and second bodies change between the folded positionand the unfolded position.

The shield may include a first end portion and a second end portion. Aguide may be formed one of the first body and the second body, the firstend portion of the shield may include an insertion protrusion connectedto the guide in a slidable manner, and the second end portion of theshield may be pivotably connected to the other of the first body or thesecond body not including the guide.

The guide may extend in the longitudinal direction on the first orsecond body.

The first body may configured to pivot about a first central axis inorder to transition between the folded position and the unfoldedposition, the second body may be configured to pivot about a secondcentral axis in order to transition between the folded position and theunfolded position, and the first central axis and the second centralaxis may be spaced apart.

The foldable device may further include: a first gear provided along thefirst central axis; and a second gear provided along the second centralaxis engaged with the first gear.

The first and second bodies may be configured to be maintained in theunfolded position and to be maintained in a predetermined unfoldingangle between the unfolded position and the folded position.

The foldable device may further include: a facing arm provided on one ofthe first and second bodies, the facing arm including a facing portion;and an elastic arm provided on the other of the first and second bodies,the elastic arm including a first contact portion configured to contactthe facing portion when the first and second bodies are in the unfoldedposition.

The elastic arm may further include a second contact portion inclinedwith respect to the first contact portion, and the second contactportion may be configured to, when the first and second body are at thepredetermined unfolding angle, contact the facing portion and maintainthe first and second bodies at the predetermined unfolding angle.

The facing arm may be configured to contact the elastic arm and bedeformed when the first and second bodies change from the foldedposition and the unfolded position.

The first body may include a fixed frame, and a movable frame to whichthe first part of the flexible display is fixed and configured to besupported on the fixed frame to move in the longitudinal direction,wherein the foldable device further includes a restriction unitconfigured to restrict a movement amount of the movable frame in thelongitudinal direction when the first and second bodies fold/unfold.

The first and second bodies may pivot about first and second centralaxes that are spaced apart from each other and are disposed in thefolded position and the unfolded position. The restriction unit mayinclude: a first slider connected to the movable frame; a pulley; and afirst connection member configured to move the first slider by using achange in an amount of the first connection member wound around thepulley when the first and second bodies fold/unfold. The restrictionunit may further include: a rack gear slidably connected to the firstconnection member; and a pinion rotatably connected to the rack gear,wherein a first rack gear portion that engages with the pinion isprovided on the first slider. The first connection member may include aflexible wire, wherein the restriction unit further includes a returnspring that applies a tensile force to the first connection member. Thefirst connection member may be bending elastic.

The foldable device may further include: first and second receiversprovided on the first and second bodies to pivot between a firstposition in which the receiving space is formed and a second position inwhich the third part of the flexible display is supported; and a supportunit configured to maintain the first and second receivers at the secondposition until the first and second bodies reach a reception startposition from the unfolded position and to allow the first and secondreceivers to move to the first position when the first and second bodiesunfold past the reception start position.

The first and second bodies may pivot about first and second centralaxes that are spaced apart from each other, and may be disposed in thefolded position and the unfolded position. The support unit may include:a rotation cam configured to support the first and second receivers andincluding a first cam track corresponding to the second position and asecond cam track corresponding to the first position; a pulley; and asecond connection member configured to rotate the rotation cam by usinga change in an amount of the second connection member wound around thepulley when the first and second bodies fold/unfold. The support unitmay further include: a second slider slidably connected to the secondconnection member and including a second rack gear portion; and a pinionconfigured to engage with and rotate along with the second rack gearportion and connected to the rotation cam. The second connection membermay include a flexible wire, wherein the support unit further includes areturn spring that applies a tensile force to the second connectionmember. The second connection member may be bending elastic.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a foldable device including: a flexible display including afirst part, a second part, and a third part disposed between the firstpart and the second part; a first body configured to support the firstpart; a second body foldably connected to the first body and configuredto support the second part; and a shielding member provided on the firstand second bodies. The first body and the second body may be configuredto be in a folded position and an unfolded position. When the first bodyand the second body are disposed in the folded position, the first bodyand the second body form a receiving space, and when the first body andthe second body are disposed in the folded position, the third partforms a curved portion of the flexible display and the curved portion isdisposed within the receiving space. The shield may be configured tocover a side portion of the third part of the flexible display when thefirst and second bodies change between the folded position and theunfolded position.

The shield may include a first end portion and a second end portion. Aguide may be formed one of the first body and the second body. The firstend portion of the shield may include an insertion protrusion connectedto the guide in a slidable manner, and the second end portion of theshield may be pivotably connected to the other of the first body or thesecond body not including the guide.

The guide may extend in a longitudinal direction on the first or secondbody.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a foldable device including: a flexible display including: afirst part; a second part; and a third part provided between the firstpart and the second part; a first body supporting the first part; and asecond body connected to the first body and supporting the second part,wherein each of the first body and the second body is configured to movebetween a first position and a second position, wherein, in response toeach of the first body and the second body being provided in the firstposition, the first body and the second body form a receiving space, thethird part comprises a curved portion of the flexible display and thecurved portion is provided within the receiving space, and wherein thefirst part is configured to move in a longitudinal direction of theflexible display with respect to the first body in response to the firstand the second bodies moving between the first and second positions.

The second part may be fixedly attached to the second body.

The foldable device may further include: a controller configured tocontrol an operation of the foldable device; and a signal lineconnecting the flexible display and the controller, wherein thecontroller is provided within one of the first body and the second body.

The foldable device may further include a battery configured to supplypower to the controller and the flexible display, wherein the battery isprovided within the other of the first body and the second body.

The first body may include: a fixed frame; a movable frame to which thefirst part of the flexible display is fixedly attached; a first railprovided on the movable frame; and a second rail provided on the fixedframe, coupled to the first rail, and configured to support the firstrail of the movable frame, and wherein the movable frame is configuredto move with respect to the fixed frame.

The foldable device may further include a friction reducing memberprovided between the fixed frame and the movable frame and configured toreduce friction between the movable frame and the fixed frame.

The first body may further include a base cover secured to the fixedframe by a fastening member, wherein the fixed frame comprises anopening through which the fastening member passes, wherein an electricalcircuit is provided in an accommodating space provided between the basecover and the fixed frame, and wherein the friction reducing membercovers the opening.

The foldable device may further include a rail member coupled to thefixed frame and configured to correspond to the second rail.

A fastening member may be configured to couple the rail member to thefixed frame, and the fixed frame may include a fastening hole having aclosed end portion, the closed end portion provided at a second end ofthe fastening hole opposite to a first end of the fastening hole, thefastening member enters the fastening hole from the first end.

The first body may further include a base cover coupled to the fixedframe, wherein an electrical circuit is provided in an accommodatingspace provided between the base cover and the fixed frame, and whereinthe electrical circuit comprises a battery configured to supply power tothe flexible display.

The foldable device may further include a controller provided within thesecond body and configured to control an operation of the foldabledevice, wherein the battery is configured to supply power to theflexible display through the controller.

The foldable device may further include a movement limiting memberconfigured to limit a movement range of the first part of the flexibledisplay.

The movement limiting member may be configured to allow the first partof the flexible display to move only when an unfolding angle formedbetween the first and second bodies is equal to or greater than amovement limiting angle.

The movement limiting angle may be equal to or greater than 90°.

The movement limiting angle may be equal to or greater than 120°.

The first body may include: a movable frame to which the first part ofthe flexible display is fixed; and a fixed frame configured to supportthe movable frame, the movable frame configured to move in thelongitudinal direction, wherein the movement limiting member isconfigured to contact the movable frame at the movement limiting angle.

The foldable device may further include a resistance member configuredto apply a force against a movement of the first part of the flexibledisplay with respect to the first body.

The foldable device may further include a movement limiting memberconfigured to allow the first part of the flexible display to move onlywhen an angle formed between the first and second bodies is equal to orgreater than a movement limiting angle, wherein the resistance member isconfigured to apply the force against the movement of the first part ofthe flexible display only when the angle is equal to or greater than themovement limiting angle.

As an angle formed between the first and second bodies decreases, theresistance member is configured to apply a higher force against themovement of the first part of the flexible display.

The foldable device may further include a shielding member provided onthe first and second bodies and configured to cover a side portion ofthe third part when the first and second bodies change between the firstposition and the second position.

The shielding member may include a first end portion and a second endportion, wherein a guide is provided in one of the first body and thesecond body, wherein the first end portion of the shielding membercomprises a protrusion configured to be inserted into the guide in asliding manner, and wherein the second end portion of the shield ispivotably connected to the other of the first body and the second body.

The guide may extend in the longitudinal direction on one of the firstand the second body.

The first body may be configured to pivot about a first axis totransition between the first position and the second position, whereinthe second body is configured to pivot about a second axis to transitionbetween the first position and the second position, and wherein thefirst axis and the second axis are spaced apart.

The foldable device may further include a first gear provided along thefirst axis; and a second gear provided along the second axis and engagedwith the first gear.

The first and second bodies may be configured to be maintained in thesecond position and to be maintained at a predetermined angle betweenthe first position and the second position with each other.

The foldable device may further include a facing arm provided on one ofthe first and second bodies, the facing arm comprising a facing portion;and an elastic arm provided on the other of the first and second bodies,the elastic arm comprising a first contact portion configured to contactthe facing portion in response to the first and second bodies being inthe unfolded position.

The elastic arm may further include a second contact portion inclinedwith respect to the first contact portion, and wherein the secondcontact portion is configured to contact the facing portion and maintainthe first and second bodies at the predetermined unfolding angle inresponse to the first and second body being at the predeterminedunfolding angle.

The facing arm may be configured to contact the elastic arm and bedeformed in response to the first and second bodies changing between thefirst position and the second position.

The first body may include: a fixed frame; and a movable frame to whichthe first part of the flexible display is fixed and configured to besupported on the fixed frame to move in the longitudinal direction,wherein the foldable device further comprises a restriction unitconfigured to restrict a movement of the movable frame in thelongitudinal direction.

The first and second bodies may pivot about first and second axes,respectively, that are spaced apart from each other.

The restriction unit may include: a first slider connected to themovable frame; a pulley; and a first connection member configured tomove the first slider by using a change in an amount of the firstconnection member wound around the pulley in response to the first andsecond bodies moving between the first and second positions.

The restriction unit may further include: a rack gear slidably connectedto the first connection member; and a pinion rotatably connected to therack gear, wherein a first rack gear portion engaging with the pinion isprovided on the first slider.

The foldable device may further include a moveable support memberconfigured to support the third part; first receiver provided on thefirst body and a second receiver provided on the second body, the firstand second receivers configured to pivot between a first supportposition in which the receiving space is formed and a second supportposition in which the third part of the flexible display is supported bythe first and second receivers; and a support unit configured tomaintain the first and second receivers at the second support positionuntil the first and second bodies reach a reception start position fromthe second position and to allow the first and second receivers to moveto the first support position in response to the first and second bodiesunfold passing the reception start position.

The support unit may include: a rotation cam configured to support thefirst and second receivers and comprising a first cam trackcorresponding to the second support position and a second cam trackcorresponding to the first support position; a pulley; and a secondconnection member configured to rotate the rotation cam by using achange in an amount of the second connection member wound around thepulley in response to the first and second bodies moving between thefirst and second positions.

The support unit may further include a second slider slidably connectedto the second connection member and comprising a second rack gearportion; and a pinion configured to engage with and rotate along withthe second rack gear portion and connected to the rotation cam.

The second connection member may include a flexible wire, wherein thesupport unit further comprises a spring configured to apply a tensileforce to the second connection member.

The first position may correspond to a folded position of the foldabledevice and the second position may correspond to an unfolded position ofthe foldable device.

The first body and the second body may be foldably connected to eachother.

According to an aspect of another exemplary embodiment, there isprovided a foldable device including: a flexible display including: afirst part; a second part; and a third part disposed between the firstpart and the second part; a first body configured to support the firstpart; a second body connected to the first body and configured tosupport the second part; and a shielding member provided on the firstand second bodies, wherein each of the first body and the second bodyare configured to move between a first position and a second position,wherein, when the first body and the second body are in the firstposition, the first body and the second body form a receiving space, andwherein, when the first body and the second body are in the foldedposition, the third part comprises a curved portion of the flexibledisplay and the curved portion is provided within the receiving space,and wherein the shielding member is configured to cover a side portionof the third part of the flexible display in response to the first andsecond bodies moving between the first position and the second position.

Additional aspects will be set forth in part in the description whichfollows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may belearned by practice of the presented exemplary embodiments.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparentand more readily appreciated from the following description of one ormore exemplary embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a foldable device according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is a side view illustrating the foldable device of FIG. 1 in anunfolded state according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a folded state of the foldable deviceof FIG. 1 according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable device according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 6 is a detailed view of a portion “A” of FIG. 5 according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ of FIG. 6according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8A is a side view of a modified connection structure for foldablyconnecting first and second bodies according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 8B is a side view illustrating the first and second bodies aremisaligned with each other in an unfolded state according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a foldable device in a slightly foldedstate according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 5according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a foldable device in a partially foldedstate according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12A is a cross-sectional view of a foldable device in a foldedstate folded position according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12B is a cross-sectional view of a foldable device in an initialunfolded state according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12C is a cross-sectional view of a foldable device in a partiallyfolded state according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 12D is a cross-sectional view of a foldable device in an unfoldedstate according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic unit according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic unit according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view of an elastic unit according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 16A is a cross-sectional view of an initial unfolded state of afoldable device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 16B is a cross-sectional view of a partially unfolded state of afoldable device according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 16C is a cross-sectional view of a foldable device in a foldedstate according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a movable supportmember between a support position and a retreat position according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 18A is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F′ of FIG. 17,illustrating the movable support member in the support positionaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 18B is a cross-sectional view taken along line F-F′ of FIG. 17,illustrating the movable support member in the retreat positionaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 19A is a side view of a foldable device in a folded positionaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 19B is a side view of a foldable device in an unfolded stateunfolded position according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 20 is a side view of a foldable device according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along line H-H′ of FIG. 20according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 22 is a side view of a foldable device according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 23 is a cross-sectional view of a magnetic member according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 24 is a side view of a foldable device according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a foldable device according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 26 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line J-J′ of FIG.25 according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 27 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line K-K′ of FIG.25 according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 28 is a side view illustrating a gap between a third part of aflexible display and a foldable device as the foldable device foldsaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a foldable device according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view of a structure for slidably connectinga movable frame to a fixed frame according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of a structure for slidably connectingthe movable frame to the fixed frame according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of a structure for slidably connectingthe movable frame to the fixed frame according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 33 is a side view of a foldable device in an unfolded stateaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 34 is a side view of a foldable device at a predetermined unfoldingangle according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 35 is a side view of a foldable device in a folded state accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 36 is a partial cross-sectional view of a foldable device accordingto an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a foldable device according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a pen receiver according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 39 is a cross-sectional view of a pen fixing unit in an unlockedstate according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 40 is a cross-sectional view of the pen fixing unit in a lockedstate according to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 41 is a schematic view of a toggle locking structure according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 42 is a partial perspective view of a foldable device according toan exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 43 is a cross-sectional view of a pen fixer in an unlocked stateaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 44 is a cross-sectional view of a pen fixer in a locked stateaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 45 is a partial perspective view of a foldable device viewed from aback of a foldable device without a cover according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 46 is an enlarged view of a portion “AA” of FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is an enlarged view of a portion “BB” of FIG. 45;

FIG. 48 is a schematic view for explaining an operation of a restrictionunit;

FIG. 49 is a schematic view for explaining a change in the amount of afirst connection member wound around a pulley during a folding/unfoldingprocess;

FIG. 50 is a schematic view of a structure for adjusting a movementratio between a rack gear and a first slider according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIG. 51 is a view of a structure for nonlinearly moving a movable frameaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 52 is a graph illustrating a movement distance of a movable frameaccording to a folding/unfolding angle between first and second bodiesaccording to an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 53 is a perspective view of a support unit according to anexemplary embodiment;

FIG. 54 is a side view of a rotation cam according to an exemplaryembodiment;

FIGS. 55A, 55B, and 55C are schematic views for explaining an operationof the support unit; and

FIG. 56 is a block diagram for explaining an example where a restrictionunit and a support unit are realized by using a motor according to anexemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to one or more exemplaryembodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elementsthroughout and sizes or thicknesses of elements may be exaggerated forclarity.

As used herein, the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations ofone or more of the associated listed items. Expressions such as “atleast one of,” when preceding a list of elements, modify the entire listof elements and do not modify the individual elements of the list.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating of a foldable device 100according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 2 is a side view illustratingthe foldable device 100 of FIG. 1 in an unfolded state according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 3 is a side view illustrating a folded stateof the foldable device 100 of FIG. 1 according to an exemplaryembodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 3, the foldable device 100 includes firstand second bodies 1 and 2 and a flexible display device 4, i.e., aflexible display. The first and second bodies 1 and 2 are connected toeach other and configured to change between an unfolded position asshown in FIG. 2 and a folded position as shown in FIG. 3.

The flexible display device 4 is supported by the first and secondbodies 1 and 2. The flexible display device 4 may be divided into afirst part 4 a, i.e., a first section 4 a, that is supported by thefirst body 1, a second part 4 b, i.e., a second section 4 b, that issupported by the second body 2, and a third part 4 c, i.e., a thirdsection 4 c, that is provided between the first and second bodies 1 and2. The flexible display device 4 may adhere to the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 by using an adhesive unit, e.g., an adhesive, such as, asnon-limiting examples, an adhesive or double-sided tape. The third part4 c of the flexible display device 4 is not supported by the first body1 or the second body 2. That is, the third part 4 c does not adhere tothe first and second bodies 1 and 2. When the first and second bodies 1and 2 are in the folded position as shown in FIG. 3, the third part 4 cforms a curved portion 4 d having a predetermined radius of curvature.Accordingly, because the flexible display device 4 is not sharply bent,but the third part 4 c may be bent forming the curved portion 4 d orflattened depending on the respective positions of the first and secondbodies 1 and 2, and the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may changebetween the folded position and the unfolded position. As shown in FIGS.1-3, the foldable device 100 may also include a cover member 5, i.e., acover, surrounding a connecting portion between the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 to prevent the inside of the foldable device 100 frombeing exposed to the outside. The cover member will be described in moredetail below in view of FIG. 5.

The foldable device 100 may be a portable mobile device such as acommunication terminal, a game player, a multimedia device, a portablecomputer, or a photographing apparatus. However, the exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto, and the foldable device 100 mayinclude any device including the first body 1 which supports the firstpart 4 a of the flexible display device 4 and the second body 2 whichsupports the second part 4 b of the flexible display device 4 and whichis foldably connected to the first body 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a flexible display device 4according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 4, the flexibledisplay device 4 may include a flexible display panel 41 which displaysan image and a transparent protective panel 43 which is disposed on anoutside surface of the flexible display panel 41. The flexible displaypanel 41 may be, for example, an organic light-emitting diode (OLED)panel. When the flexible display panel 41 is an OLED panel, an organicemission layer may be disposed between an upper substrate and a lowersubstrate. A polarization plate may be disposed on the upper substratefrom which light is emitted. Also, the flexible display device 4 mayfurther include a touch panel 42 as an input unit, i.e., an input. Thetouch panel 42 may be disposed between the transparent protective panel43 and the flexible display panel 41. The flexible display panel 41, thetouch panel 42, and the transparent protective panel 43 may be adheredto one another by using, as an example, an optically-clear adhesive(OCA) layer. However, one or more exemplary embodiments are not limitedthereto, and the flexible display device 4 may further include variousoptical panels or optical films.

A processing unit, i.e., a processor or a controller, and aninput/output (I/O) unit, i.e., a transceiver or an I/O interface, forperforming functions according to the use of the foldable device 100 maybe provided within the first and second bodies 1 and 2 or one of thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2. When the foldable device 100 is amultimedia terminal that provides images and music to a user, theprocessing unit may include an image/audio information processing unit,e.g., an image/audio processor. When the foldable device 100 is acommunication terminal, the processing unit may include a communicationmodule. The I/O unit may include an image/audio I/O unit and amanipulation unit, e.g., an input panel or input buttons, for usermanipulation. The manipulation unit may be realized by using the touchpanel 42 of the flexible display device 4.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a foldable device 100according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 6 is a detailed perspectiveview illustrating a portion “A” of FIG. 5 according to an exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line B-B′ ofFIG. 6 according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 5, the first body 1 includes a first base cover 11 anda first frame 12. The first base cover 11 defines an outer appearance ofthe first body 1. The first frame 12 is disposed within the first basecover 11. The first frame 12 includes a first support 121 that supportsthe first part 4 a of the flexible display device 4 and a first receiver122 that is inclined downward (i.e., inclined toward in inner portion ofthe first body 1) from the first support 121. The first receiver 122corresponds to a portion of the third part 4 c of the flexible displaydevice 4. The second body 2 includes a second base cover 21 and a secondframe 22. The second base cover 21 defines an outer appearance of thesecond body 2. The second frame 22 is disposed within the second basecover 21. The second frame 22 includes a second support 221 thatsupports the second part 4 b of the flexible display device 4 and asecond receiver 222 that is inclined downward (i.e., inclined toward aninner portion of the second body 2) from the second support 221. Thesecond receiver 222 corresponds to a portion of the third part 4 c ofthe flexible display device 4.

The first and second receivers 122 and 222 face each other when thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the folded position of FIG. 3, toform a receiving space in which the curved portion 4 d of the displaypanel 4 is situated. To this end, the first and second receivers 122 and222 are inclined downward away from the first and second supports 121and 221 and the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4.

Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a connection unit 3, e.g., a connector,connects the first and second bodies 1 and 2 so that the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 may be folded. In the foldable device 100 of theexemplary embodiment, the first and second bodies 1 and 2 respectivelypivot about two central axes, e.g., first and second central axes, 30-1and 30-2 that are spaced apart from each other. The connection unit 3may include a connection bracket 31 in which a pair of first connectionholes 32-1 and 32-2 are formed, and a pair of hinge members 34-1 and34-2, e.g., hinges, that pass through second connection holes 33-1 and33-2 respectively formed in the first and second bodies 1 and 2 and areinserted into the one pair of first connection holes 32-1 and 32-2. Thesecond connection holes 33-1 and 33-2 may be formed in side walls 12 aand 22 a of the first and second frames 12 and 22, respectively.

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the hinge members 34-1 and 34-2includes an insertion portion 34 a having a cylindrical shape andinserted into the second connection holes 33-1 and 33-2 and a stepportion 34 b that has a greater outer diameter than that of theinsertion portion 34 a. The insertion portions 34 a provide the centralaxes 30-1 and 30-2 about which the first and second bodies 1 and 2pivot. The step portions 34 b are supported in the first and secondbodies 1 and 2. Screw holes 34 c are axially formed in the insertionportions 34 a, respectively. When the insertion portions 34 a of thehinge members 34-1 and 34-2 pass through the second connection holes33-1 and 33-2 and are inserted into the first connection holes 32-1 and32-2, screws S are inserted into the screw holes 34 c from the oppositesides of the step portions 34 b. Accordingly, the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 may be coupled to the connection bracket 31 so that thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 may pivot about the insertion portions34 a of the hinge members 34-1 and 34-2. Using this connectionstructure, the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may be connected to eachother in such that they may change between the unfolded position of FIG.2 and the folded position of FIG. 3.

A connection structure for foldably connecting the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 is not limited to the connection structure described inreference to FIGS. 6 and 7. For example, FIG. 8A is a side viewillustrating a modified connection structure according to an exemplaryembodiment. The modified connection structure of FIG. 8A may be obtainedby adding a gear structure to the connection structure of FIG. 6.Referring to FIG. 8A, first and second gears 35-1 and 35-2 that engagewith each other are provided on side walls 12 a and 22 a of the firstand second frames 12 and 22, respectively. Centers of the first andsecond gears 35-1 and 35-2 correspond to centers of the secondconnection holes 33-1 and 33-2, respectively.

In a connection structure not including the first and second gears 35-1and 35-2, because the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may notsynchronously pivot during a folding/unfolding process, the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 may be misaligned with each other in an unfoldedstate of FIG. 8B. The first and second bodies 1 and 2 may be misaligned.The misalignment may be caused by an elastic force of an elastic unit,e.g., a brace, that will be described below. When the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 are misaligned with each other, a level difference 4 emay occur in the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4. In theconnection structure of FIG. 8A, because the first and second gears 35-1and 35-2 engage with each other, the first and second bodies 1 and 2synchronously pivot during a folding/unfolding process. Hence, the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 are not misaligned with each other during afolding/unfolding process. Also, the elastic unit may operate correctly.

Referring back to FIG. 5, the cover member 5, e.g., the cover, surroundsa connecting portion between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 toprevent the inside of the foldable device 100 from being exposed to theoutside. For example, the cover member 5 may include an extendingportion 51 that extends along facing edges 13 and 23 (FIG. 6) of thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 and side walls 52 that are located onboth ends of the extending portion 51. Recesses 53 are formed in innersurfaces of the side walls 52. The recesses 53 are shaped so that aconnection bracket 31 may be inserted into each of respective recesses53. The cover member 5 may be coupled to the first and second bodies 1and 2 by slightly widening outward the side walls 52 and inserting theconnection bracket 31 into the recesses 53. When the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 are in the folded position, the facing edges 13 and 23 ofthe first and second bodies 1 and 2 may be spaced apart from each other,and the inside of the foldable device 100 may be exposed by a spacebetween the facing edges 13 and 23 that are spaced apart from eachother. The cover member 5 covers the space between the facing edges 13and 23 in order to prevent the inside of the foldable device 100 frombeing exposed. Accordingly, the aesthetics of the foldable device 100may be improved. Further, the cover member 5 may protect the inside ofthe foldable device 100 from foreign materials or an impact.

The foldable device 100 may be carried and kept in the folded state ofFIG. 3, and changed into the unfolded state of FIG. 2 when in use. Inthe unfolded state, the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4may warp downward due to gravity and may be temporarily deformed. Also,when the flexible display device 4 is maintained in the folded state fora long time, the third part 4 c may be permanently deformed with acurvature. A plurality of thin-film layers of the flexible displaydevice 4 are adhered to one another by using an adhesive layer. It maytake a relatively long time (delay time) for the adhesive layer tochange from being bent to being completely flat according to mobility ofthe adhesive layer. During the delay time, the flexible display device 4includes a bent portion at the third part 4 c. Due to temporary orpermanent deformation of the adhesive layer, even when the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 unfold, the flexible display device 4 may not becompletely flat, thereby obstructing an image displayed on the displaydevice 4. Also, when the flexible display device 4 fails to becompletely spread flat, the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may alsofail to completely unfold. Even when a user applies an external force tothe first and second bodies 1 and 2 to try to make the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 completely unfold, the first and second bodies 1 and 2may fold slightly as shown in FIG. 9 due to a restoring force caused bythe bent portion of the adhesive layer and temporal or permanentdeformation of the flexible display device 4. Hence, to use the foldabledevice 100, a user must apply force to the first and second bodies 1 and2 to make the first and second bodies 1 and 2 completely unfold or waituntil the flexible display device 4 flattens.

According to the foldable device 100 of one or more exemplaryembodiments, the elastic unit for applying an elastic force to the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 is used in order to maintain the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 in a completely unfolded state. In the completelyunfolded state, the elastic unit applies an elastic force to the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 so that the first and second bodies 1 and 2are spread flat. Due to the elastic force, a tensile force may beapplied to the flexible display device 4 and the third part 4 c of theflexible display device 4 may be spread flat.

In an exemplary embodiment, referring to FIGS. 5 and 10, the elasticunit may include an elastic arm 61 that is provided on the first body 1and a facing arm 62 provided on the second body 2 that faces the elasticarm 61. The elastic arm 61 and the facing arm 62 may be located adjacentto the facing edges 13 and 23 of the first and second bodies 1 and 2,respectively. The elastic arm 61 and the facing arm 62 are spaced apartfrom each other when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in thefolded position as shown in FIG. 12A described below in more detail.When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the unfolded position,the elastic arm 61 contacts the facing arm 62 and is elasticallydeformed, and thus applies an elastic force to the facing arm 62 so thatthe first and second bodies 1 and 2 are pushed into the unfoldedposition. Due to the elastic force of the elastic arm 61, the secondbody 2 is forced to be spaced apart from the first body 1, and thus thethird part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 is spread flat.

The elastic arm 61 and the facing arm 62 may be integrally formed withthe first and second base covers 11 and 21 or the first and secondframes 12 and 22, respectively. In the exemplary embodiment illustratedin FIG. 5, the elastic arm 61 and the facing arm 62 are integrallyformed with the first and second frames 12 and 22, respectively.

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view taken along line C-C′ of FIG. 5according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 10, the elasticarm 61 and the facing arm 62 extend from the first and second basecovers 11 and 21, respectively, and face each other. The elastic arm 61includes a first contact portion 61-1 that contacts a facing portion 62a of the facing arm 62 when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are inthe unfolded position. The first contact portion 61-1 and the facingportion 62 a of the exemplary embodiment have planar shapes. The firstcontact portion 61-1 is inclined at an angle D1 with respect to thefacing portion 62 a. The angle D1 may be determined so that when thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the unfolded position and theelastic arm 61 is pushed by the facing arm 62 to be deformed, the firstcontact portion 61-1 is parallel or substantially parallel to the facingportion 62 a. Accordingly, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 arein the unfolded position, the first contact portion 61-1 and the facingportion 62 a contact each other, and thus the first and second bodies 1and 2 may be maintained in the unfolded state. At least two portions ofthe elastic arm 61 may contact the facing portion 62 a in at least twopositions spaced apart from each other in a pivoting direction of thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating a state where the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 are stopped at an unfolding angle E according toan exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 11, the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 may be stopped in at least one position between thefolded position and the completely unfolded position. The unfoldingangle E between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may range from about90° to about 180°, for example, about 120° in FIG. 11. In the exemplaryembodiment, for example, an input unit, i.e., an input, such as akeyboard or an input icon may be displayed on the first part 4 a of theflexible display device 4 and a screen corresponding to a command inputthrough the input unit may be displayed on the second part 4 b of theflexible display device 4 or vice versa.

Referring back to FIG. 10, the elastic arm 61 may further include asecond contact portion 61-2 that is inclined with respect to the firstcontact portion 61-1. The second contact portion 61-2 may have a planarshape. The second contact portion 61-2 is inclined at an angle D2 withrespect to the facing portion 62 a. The second contact portion 61-2 isdistinguished from the first contact portion 61-1 by a boundary portion61-3 that is a projection protruding toward the second body 2. The angleD2 may be determined so that when the first and second bodies 1 and 2are in a position having the unfolding angle E, the second contactportion 61-2 is parallel to the facing portion 62 a. Accordingly, thesecond contact portion 61-2 may contact the facing portion 62 a and thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 may be maintained in a partially foldedstate having the unfolding angle E.

FIGS. 12A, 12B, 12C, and 12D are cross-sectional views illustrating thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 in the folded position, the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 beginning to unfold, the first and second bodies 1and 2 being maintained at a predetermined unfolding angle, and the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 completely unfolded, respectively. The firstand second bodies 1 and 2 folding and unfolding will now be explainedwith reference to FIGS. 12A through 12D.

Referring to FIG. 12A, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are inthe folded position, the elastic arm 61 and the facing arm 62 are spacedapart from each other. The curved portion 4 d of the flexible displaydevice 4 is situated between the first and second receivers 122 and 222.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 begin to unfold, as shown inFIG. 12B, the elastic arm 61 contacts the facing arm 62. When the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 further unfold, the elastic arm 61 is pushedby the facing arm 62.

When an angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 reaches theunfolding angle E, as shown in FIG. 12C, the second contact portion 61-2of the elastic arm 61 contacts the facing portion 62 a of the facing arm62. The angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may bemaintained at the unfolding angle E. Also, even when a force for makingthe first and second bodies 1 and 2 further unfold or fold from thepartially unfolded position is applied to the first and second bodies 1and 2, unless the angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2exceeds an angle at which contact between the second contact portion61-2 and the facing portion 62 a completely ends, the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 return to the state having the unfolding angle E due toan elastic force of the elastic arm 61.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 further unfold, contact betweenthe second contact portion 61-2 and the facing portion 62 a ends, and,as shown in FIG. 12D, the first contact portion 61-1 contacts the facingportion 62 a. Even when an external force unfolding the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 is removed, the first and second bodies 1 and 2 aremaintained in the completely unfolded state. Also, even when a force formaking the first and second bodies 1 and 2 fold is applied to the firstand second bodies 1 and 2, unless the angle between the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 exceeds an angle at which contact between the firstcontact portion 61-1 and the facing portion 62 a completely ends, thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 return to the completely unfolded statedue to an elastic force of the elastic arm 61. In this state, theelastic arm 61 elastically contacts the facing arm 62 and applies anelastic force so that the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are pushedapart from each other. Due to the elastic force, the third part 4 c ofthe flexible display device 4 is spread flat.

The first and second bodies 1 and 2 that are in the unfolded position ofFIG. 12D may be maintained at the unfolding angle E of FIG. 12C and maychange to the folded position of FIG. 12A in reverse order.

Because the elastic unit including the elastic arm 61 and the facing arm62 is used as described above, the third part 4 c of the flexibledisplay device 4 may be spread flat when the first and second bodies 1and 2 unfold, and the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may be maintainedat the completely unfolded position. Also, the first and second bodies 1and 2 may also be maintained at the position having the unfolding angleE without additional force applied by the user.

FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an elastic unit accordingto an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 13, the facing arm 62 maycontact the elastic arm 61 and may be elastically deformed. Hereinafter,the elastic arm 61 and the facing arm 62 are respectively referred to asa first elastic arm 61 and a second elastic arm 62. The first elasticarm 61 of the exemplary embodiment has the same characteristics as theelastic arm 61 of FIG. 9. The second elastic arm 62 may be integrallyformed with the second frame 22 of the second body 2. The facing portion62 a may include first and second facing portions 62-1 and 62-2 havingplanar shapes and respectively corresponding to the first and secondcontact portions 61-1 and 61-2. The second facing portion 62-2 isdistinguished from the first facing portion 62-1 by a boundary portion62-3. When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the positionhaving the unfolding angle E of FIG. 10, the second contact portion 61-2and the second facing portion 62-2 contact each other, and the first andsecond elastic arms 61 and 62 are elastically deform each other. Whenthe first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the completely unfoldedposition, the first contact portion 61-1 and the first facing portion62-1 may contact and push each other, the flexible display device 4 maybe spread flat, and the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may bemaintained in the completely unfolded position.

Although the first and second elastic arms 61 and 62 are integrallyformed with the first and second bodies 1 and 2, one or more exemplaryembodiments are not limited thereto. For example, FIG. 14 is across-sectional view illustrating an elastic unit according to anexemplary embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, a first elastic arm 61′having a leaf spring shape and including the first and second contactportions 61-1 and 61-2 may be coupled, for example, to the first frame12 of the first body 1. Also, a second elastic arm 62′ having a leafspring shape and including the first and second facing portions 62-1 and62-2 may be coupled to, for example, the second frame 22 of the secondbody 2.

Although the first and second contact portions 61-1 and 61-2 and thefirst and second facing portions 62-1 and 62-2 having planer shapes areused as the elastic unit, one or more exemplary embodiments are notlimited thereto. The first and second contact portions 61-1 and 61-2 orboth the first and second contact portions 61-1 and 61-2 and the firstand second facing portions 62-1 and 62-2 may have, for example, curvedshapes. FIG. 15 is a cross-sectional view illustrating an elastic unitaccording to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIG. 15, an elastic arm (first elastic arm) 61″ includingfirst and second contact portions 61-1″ and 61-2″ having curved shapes,has a leaf spring shape, and is coupled to the first frame 12. The firstand second contact portions 61-1″ and 61-2″ are distinguished from eachother by a boundary portion 61-3″. A facing arm (second elastic arm) 62″including first and second facing portions 62-1″ and 62-2″ having curvedshapes respectively corresponding to the first and second contactportions 61-1″ and 61-2″, respectively, has a leaf spring shape, and iscoupled to the second frame 22. The first and second facing portions61-2″ and 62-2″ are distinguished from each other by a boundary portion62-3″.

FIGS. 16A, 16B, and 16C are cross-sectional views illustrating aninitial the first and second bodies 1 and 2 beginning to unfold (FIG.16A), the first and second bodies 1 and 2 maintained at a predeterminedangle (FIG. 16B), and the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are completelyunfolded (FIG. 16C). How the first and second bodies 1 and 2 fold andunfold will now be explained with reference to FIGS. 16A through 16C.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in a folded position, theelastic arm 61″ and the facing arm 62″ are spaced apart from each othersimilar to the exemplary embodiment described in FIG. 12A. When thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 begin to unfold, as shown in FIG. 16A,the elastic arm 61″ contacts the facing arm 62″. When the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 further unfold, the elastic arm 61″ is pushed bythe facing arm 62″. Similarly, the facing arm 62″ is pushed by theelastic arm 61″.

When an angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 reaches theunfolding angle E, as shown in FIG. 16B, the second contact portion61-2″ contacts the second facing portion 62-2″. Because a line L1 alongwhich an elastic force is applied due to deformation of the elastic arm61″ and the facing arm 62″ is under the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 ofthe first and second bodies 1 and 2, the elastic force is applied sothat the first and second bodies 1 and 2 fold. However, a stiffness ofthe flexible display device 4 and the elastic force applied due to thedeformation of the elastic arm 61″ and the facing arm 62″ are balanced,and the angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 is maintainedat the unfolding angle E. Even when the first and second bodies 1 and 2further unfold, unless the first and second bodies 1 and 2 unfold at anangle exceeding the boundary portions 61-3″ and 62-3″, the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 return to the unfolding angle E due to the elasticforce of the elastic arm 61″ and the facing arm 62″.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 further unfold past theunfolding angle E, the first contact portion 61-1″ contacts the firstfacing portion 62-2″ (FIG. 16C). Because a line L2 along which anelastic force is applied due to deformation of the elastic arm 61″ andthe facing arm 62″ is over the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 of the firstand second bodies 1 and 2, the elastic force is applied so that thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 remain unfolded. Hence, the third part 4c of the flexible display device 4 is spread flat due to the elasticforce and the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are maintained in thecompletely unfolded state. Even when a force for making the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 fold is applied, unless the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 fold at an angle exceeding the boundary portions 61-3″and 62-3″, the first and second bodies 1 and 2 return to the completelyunfolded state due to the elastic force of the elastic arm 61″ and thefacing arm 62″.

According to the connection structure including the first and secondgears 35-1 and 35-2 of FIG. 8A, the first and second bodies 1 and 2synchronously pivot during a folding/unfolding process. Hence, theelastic arm 61′ or 61″ and the facing arm 62′ or 62″ may be symmetricabout a center of a line that connects the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 ofthe first and second bodies 1 and 2. Hence, the elastic arm 61′ or 61″and the facing arm 61′ or 61″ may not be misaligned, and thus may beelastically deformed in desired directions.

FIG. 17 is an exploded perspective view of a movable support member 7between a support position and a retreat position according to anexemplary embodiment. In order to make the third part 4 c of theflexible display device 4 spread flat when the first and second bodies 1and 2 are in the unfolded position, the foldable device 100 may furtherinclude the movable support member 7. The movable support member 7includes a movable support 71 that supports the third part 4 c of theflexible display device 4. The movable support member 7 is in thesupport position where the movable support 71 supports the third part 4c of the flexible display device 4 when the first and second bodies 1and 2 are in the unfolded position. The movable support member 7supports the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 between thefirst and second receivers 122 and 222. When the first and second bodies1 and 2 change to the folded position, the movable support member 7 isin the retreat position to form the receiving space of the curvedportion 4 d. That is, the movable support member 7 moves between theretreat position and the support position as the first and second bodies1 and 2 change between the folded position and the unfolded position. Assuch, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the unfoldedposition, because the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 issupported by the movable support member 7, the third part 4 c may bespread flat when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the unfoldedposition.

Referring to FIG. 17, in more detail, slots 72 that extend in awidthwise direction of the movable support member 7 are formed in themovable support member 7. A pair of guide portions 73-1 and 73-2 thatare inserted into the slots 72, and are formed around facing edges 13and 23 of the first and second bodies 1 and 2 adjacent to the connectionunit 3. For example, the guide portions 73-1 and 73-2 may berespectively provided on upper ends of ribs 74-1 and 74-2 that extendupward (i.e., toward an inner portion of the respective first and secondbodies 1 and 2 from the first and second frames 12 and 22.

FIGS. 18A and 18B are cross-sectional views taken along line F-F′ ofFIG. 17, illustrating a movable support member 7 in a support position(FIG. 18B) and a retreat position (FIG. 18A), respectively, according toan exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 18A, the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 are in the folded position. The guide portions 73-1 and73-2 are farthest away from each other, and the movable support member 7is in the retreat position. The curved portion 4 d of the flexibledisplay device 4 is received in a space formed by the first and secondreceivers 122 and 222 and the movable support member 7.

In the state of FIG. 18A, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2unfold, the guide portions 73-1 and 73-2 slide into respective outerends of the slots 72 to approach each other and the movable supportmember 7 is raised toward the flexible display device 4. When the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 are completely unfolded, as shown in FIG. 18B,the movable support member 7 is in the support position and the thirdpart 4 c of the flexible display device 4 is supported by the movablesupport 71.

In the exemplary embodiment, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2are in the unfolded position, the third part 4 c of the flexible displaydevice 4 may be supported and may be spread flat. Also, when the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 are in the folded position, a space in whichthe curved portion 4 may be received may be secured due to retreat fromthe flexible display device 4.

According to the connection structure including the first and secondgears 35-1 and 35-2 of FIG. 8A, the first and second bodies 1 and 2synchronously pivot during a folding/unfolding process. Hence, themovable support member 7 may be stably elevated without being inclinedto either side during the folding/unfolding process. When the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 are in the unfolded position, the movable support71 of the movable support member 7 may evenly support the third part 4 cof the flexible display device 4.

Portions of the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4corresponding to the first and second receivers 122 and 222 between thefirst and second supports 121 and 221 and the movable support member 7may not be supported by another member when the first and second bodies1 and 2 are in the unfolded position. For example, FIGS. 19A and 19B areside views illustrating a foldable device 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment. FIG. 19A illustrates a state where the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 are in the folded position. FIG. 19B illustrates a statewhere the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the unfolded position.Referring to FIGS. 19A and 19B, the first and second receivers 122 and222 are pivotably coupled to the first and second supports 121 and 221.When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are in the folded position, thesecond receivers 122 and 222 are in a first position retreated from theflexible display device 4 in order to receive the curved portion 4 d ofthe flexible display device 4. When the first and second bodies 1 and 2are in the unfolded position, the first and second receivers 122 and 222are in a second position that supports the third part 4 c of theflexible display device 4. The first and second receivers 122 and 222pivot between the first position and the second position as the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 change between the folded position and theunfolded position. The first and second receivers 122 and 222 movebetween the first and second positions as the movable support member 7moves. Pivot levers 81 and 82 for moving the first and second receivers122 and 222 between the first and second positions may be provided onthe movable support member 7. The pivot levers 81 and 82 are formed sothat one end portions of the pivot levers 81 and 82 are pivotablysupported on the movable support member 7 and the other end portions ofthe pivot levers 81 and 82 are connected to or in contact with the firstand second receivers 122 and 222.

Referring to FIG. 19A, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are inthe folded position, the movement support member 7 is in the retreatposition. The curved portion 4 d is formed in the third part 4 c of theflexible display device 4 and the first and second receivers 122 and 222are in the first position due to an elasticity of the curved portion 4d.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 unfold, the movable supportmember 7 approaches the flexible display device 4. As the movablesupport member 7 approaches the flexible display device 4, distal endportions 124 and 224 of hinges 123 and 223 of the first and secondreceivers 122 and 222 are slowly raised, due to the first and secondpivot levers 81 and 82, and approach the flexible display device 4.

As shown in FIG. 19B, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 reach theunfolded position, the movable support member 7 reaches the supportposition and the first and second receivers 122 and 222 are pushed bythe first and second pivot levers 81 and 82 to pivot about the hinges123 and 223 and to be in the second position. In this state, because thefirst and second pivot levers 81 and 82 are supported by stoppers 83 and84 that are provided on the movable support member 7, the first andsecond pivot levers 81 and 82 no longer pivot. Accordingly, the firstand second receivers 122 and 222 are not spaced apart from the flexibledisplay device 4 and are in the second position. The movable supportmember 7 supports the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4between the first and second receivers 122 and 222.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are folded, the movable supportmember 7 begins to move away from the flexible display device 4 and thefirst and second pivot levers 81 and 82 are also moved away from theflexible display device 4. In the exemplary embodiment, the curvedportion 4 d is slowly formed in the third part 4 c of the flexibledisplay device 4 and the first and second receivers 122 and 222 arepushed by the curved portion 4 d to pivot about the hinges 123 and 223toward the first position. Accordingly, a space in which the curvedportion 4 d is received is formed in the first and second bodies 1 and2. When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 reach the position of FIG.19A, the movable support member 7 reaches the retreat position and thefirst and second receiving positions 122 and 222 reach the firstposition.

In the exemplary embodiment, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2are in the unfolded position, because the third part 4 c of the flexibledisplay device 4 is supported by the movable support member 7 and thefirst and second receivers 122 and 222, the flexible display device 4may be stably supported. Also, the third part 4 c of the flexibledisplay device 4 may be spread flat.

In order to reduce a compressive force or a tensile force applied to theflexible display device 4 during a folding/unfolding process, the firstpart 4 a and/or the second part 4 b of the flexible display device 4 maynot be bound to the first and second bodies 1 and 2.

FIG. 20 is a side view of a foldable device 100 according to anexemplary embodiment. FIG. 21 is a cross-sectional view taken along lineH-H′ of FIG. 20 according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG.20, the first part 4 a or the second part 4 b may be supported by thefirst or second body 1 or 2 to move in directions G1 and G2. Forexample, referring to FIG. 21, the first frame 12 may include a fixedframe 311 that is fixed to the base cover 11 and a movable frame 312that is provided on the fixed frame 311 to slide in the directions G1and G2. A first rail 314 may be provided on the movable frame 312, and asecond rail 313 in which the first rail 314 is inserted and slides maybe provided on the fixed frame 311. Elements of the connection unit 3,elements of the elastic unit, and the first receiver 122 may be providedon the fixed frame 311. The first support 121 that supports the firstpart 4 a of the flexible display device 4 may be provided on the movableframe 312.

In the exemplary embodiment, because the first part 4 a of the flexibledisplay device 4 acts as a free end during a folding/unfolding process,a compressive force or a tensile force applied to the flexible displaydevice 4 may be reduced. Also, the possibility that the third part 4 cof the flexible display device 4 is deformed to have a concave or convexshape 4 f of FIG. 20 may be reduced.

The second part 4 b of the flexible display device 4 may also act as afree end. To this end, as shown in FIG. 21, the second frame 22 mayinclude a fixed frame 321 that is fixed to the base cover 21 and amovable frame 322 that is provided on the fixed frame 321 to slide inthe directions G1 and G2. A second rail 323 may be provided on the fixedframe 321, and a first rail 324 into which the second rail 323 isinserted may be provided on the movable frame 322. Elements of theconnection unit 3, elements of the elastic unit, and the second receiver222 may be provided on the fixed frame 321. The second support 221 thatsupports the second part 4 b of the flexible display device 4 may beprovided on the movable frame 322.

Because the flexible display device 4 is elastic, even when the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 are folded, the first and second bodies 1 and2 may not completely folded due to a restoring force of the curvedportion 4 d of the flexible display device 4. The foldable device 100,according to one or more exemplary embodiments, may maintain the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 in the folded position due to a magneticforce. For example, FIG. 22 is a side view illustrating a foldabledevice 100 according to an exemplary embodiment and FIG. 23 is across-sectional view of a magnetic member 91, e.g., a magnet, accordingto an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 22, the magnetic member 91is provided in the first body 1, and an attachment member 92 that facesthe magnetic member 91 at the folded position and is attracted to themagnetic member 91 due to a magnetic force is provided in the secondbody 2.

In the exemplary embodiment, because the magnetic member 91 and theattachment member 92 are attracted to each other when the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 are in the folded position, the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 may be maintained in the folded position, therebyimproving portability and storage of the foldable device 100.

Referring to FIG. 23, the magnetic member 91 may include a magnet 91 aand a magnetic shielding member 91 b, e.g., a magnetic shield, thatsurround surfaces of the magnet 91 a other than a surface 91 a-1 a thatfaces the attachment member 92 in the folded state. The magneticshielding member 91 b may be, for example, a ferromagnetic member. Inthe exemplary embodiment, a magnetic force of the magnet 91 a may notaffect neighboring electrical and electronic circuits. Because themagnetic shielding member 91 b functions as a yoke of a magneticcircuit, the magnetic shielding member 91 b may concentrate a magneticforce of the magnet 91 a towards the attachment member 92 to increase amagnetic force. The magnet 91 a may be a permanent magnet.

The attachment member 92 may be formed of any material which may beattracted to the magnetic member 91. For example, the attachment member92 may be formed of a metal. Also, the attachment member 92 may have asimilar structure as that of the magnetic member 91 of FIG. 23.

As described above, the foldable device 100 may be used at the unfoldedposition (see FIG. 1). Also, as shown in FIG. 11, the foldable device100 may be used at the position having the unfolding angle E between thefolded position and the unfolded position of the first and second bodies1 and 2. In the exemplary embodiment, when the third part 4 c of theflexible display device 4 fails to have a natural curved shape and isbent to have the concave or convex shape 4 f of FIG. 20, a screendisplayed on the third part 4 c may be distorted. Because the first part4 a or the second part 4 b of the flexible display device 4 is supportedon the first body 1 or the second body 2 to slide in thefolding/unfolding direction (or a longitudinal direction L), the thirdpart 4 c may have a natural curved shape.

FIG. 24 is a side view illustrating a foldable device 100 according toan exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 24, the first part 4 a of theflexible display device 4 is supported on the first body 1 to slide inthe directions G1 and G2 and the second part 4 b is fixed to the secondbody 2. The foldable device 100 includes at least one electrical circuitmember, e.g., an electrical circuit, for operating the flexible displaydevice 4. The electrical circuit member may include a controller 8 thatcontrols an operation of the foldable device 100 and a battery 9 thatsupplies power to the flexible display device 4 and the controller 8.

The controller 8 may be provided as a circuit board including aprocessing unit, e.g., a processor, that controls functions andprocesses of the foldable device 100. The flexible display device 4includes a signal line 4-1 that is connected to the controller 8. Thesignal line 4-1 may be, for example, a flexible printed circuit board(PCB). The controller 8 is disposed in the second body 2, and the signalline 4-1 is provided to the second part 4 b of the flexible displaydevice 4 in the exemplary embodiment. Because the second part 4 b isfixed to the second body 2, even when the foldable device 100 changesbetween the folded position and the unfolded position, the signal line4-1 and the controller 8 are stably connected to each other. The battery9 is disposed in the first body 1 and is connected to the controller 8through a power supply line. Power may be supplied to the flexibledisplay device 4 through the controller 8 and the signal line 4-1.

A structure for slidably connecting the first part 4 a of the flexibledisplay device 4 to the first body 1 is not limited to the structuredescribed in reference to FIG. 21. For example, FIG. 25 is a perspectiveview of a foldable device 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG.26 is a partial cross-sectional view taken along line J-J′ of FIG. 25according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 27 is a partialcross-sectional view taken along line K-K′ of FIG. 25 according to anexemplary embodiment. In order to more clearly show a structure forslidably connecting the first part 4 a of the flexible display device 4to the first body 1, the flexible display device 4 is not shown in FIG.25 and a rail member 333, e.g., a rail, is not shown in FIG. 27. Thefoldable device 100 of FIGS. 25 through 27 may be similar to thefoldable device 100 described in any of the previous exemplaryembodiments except that the first part 4 a of the flexible displaydevice 4 is slidably supported on the first body 1.

Referring to FIG. 25, the second part 4 b of the flexible display device4 is fixed to the second support 221 of the second frame 22 by using anadhesive or the like. A slot 225 through which the signal line 4-1 ofthe flexible display device 4 passes is formed in the second frame 22(see FIG. 24). The first frame 11 includes a fixed frame 331, and amovable frame 332 that is supported on the fixed frame 331 and able toslide in the directions G1 and G2 with respect to the fixed frame 331.The first part 4 a of the flexible display device 4 is fixed to themovable frame 332 by using an adhesive or the like.

Referring to FIGS. 26 and 27, the movable frame 332 includes a firstrail 332-1. A second rail 335 coupled to the first rail 332-1 andconfigured to guide a sliding movement of the movable frame 332 isprovided on the fixed frame 331. Although the first rail 332-1 has aconvex shape and the second rail 335 into which the first rail 332-1 isinserted has a concave shape, one or more exemplary embodiments is notlimited thereto and the first rail 332-1 may have a concave shape andthe second rail 335 may have a convex shape.

The first rail 332-1 extends in a sliding direction, that is, thedirections G1 and G2, in which the movable frame 332 may slide. Thefirst rail 332-1 includes a first protrusion 332-1 a that extendsdownward (i.e., toward an inner portion of the first body 1), and asecond protrusion 332-1 b that extends from the first protrusion 332-1 ain a horizontal direction, that is, a width direction W of the foldabledevice 100, perpendicular to the directions G1 and G2. The first movableframe 332 may be formed of, for example, a metal plate. The first rail332-1 may be formed by bending the metal plate.

The second rail 335 extends in the sliding directions G1 and G2. Arecess 331-2 in a top surface 331-1 that extends in the directions G1and G2 is provided in the fixed frame 331. A rail member 333 that formsthe second rail 335 is provided in the recess 331-2. The rail member 333is fixed to the fixed frame 331 by using a fastening member 334 such asa screw. A fastening hole 331-3 into which the fastening member 334 isinserted is formed in the fixed frame 331. The rail member 333 includesa first surface 333-1 and a second surface 333-2 that respectively facea side surface 331-2 a and a bottom surface 331-2 b of the recess 331-2.The first surface 333-1 and the second surface 333-2 are spaced apartfrom the side surface 331-2 a and the bottom surface 331-2 b of therecess 331-2. Accordingly, the second rail 335 into which the first rail332-1 is disposed and slides may be formed.

The movable frame 332 is placed on the fixed frame 331 so that the firstrail 332-1 is inserted into the recess 331-2 and the rail member 333 isfastened to the fixed frame 331 by using the fastening member 334. Thefirst rail 332-1 is disposed in the second rail 335 that is formed bythe first surface 333-1 and the second surface 333-2 of the rail member333 and the side surface 331-2 a and the bottom surface 331-2 b of therecess 331-2 that are spaced apart from each other. Accordingly, themovable frame 332 may be guided along the second rail 335 and may slidein the directions G1 and G2. Also, because the first rail 332-1 havingan “L” shape is inserted into the second rail 335 having an “L” shape,the movable frame 332 does not separate from the fixed frame 331.

A sliding range of the movable frame 332 may be limited. If the slidingrange of the movable frame 332 is too great, a length of the first body1 must be increased, thereby increasing a size of the foldable device100. The foldable device 100 may further include a movement limitingmember, e.g., a stop, which limits the sliding range of the movableframe 332. The movement limiting member allows the movable frame 332 toslide only when the unfolding angle E of the first and second bodies 1and 2 is equal to or greater than a predetermined movement limitingangle.

In the folded position (see FIG. 3) of the foldable device 100, thethird part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 is bent to have thecurved portion 4 d (see FIG. 3) and is situated in a receiving spacethat is formed by the first and second receivers 122 and 222. When thefoldable device 100 changes from the unfolded position (see FIG. 2) tothe folded position (see FIG. 3), that is, when the unfolding angle Ebetween the first and the second bodies 1 and 2 is gradually reducedfrom 180°, the movable frame 332 slides in the direction G1 and delaysthe forming of the curved portion 4 d. When the unfolding angle E of thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 reaches the movement limiting angle andthus the movable frame 332 no longer slides in the direction G1, thethird part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 is bent to have thecurved portion 4 d and is received in the receiving space. When thefoldable device 100 changes from the folded position (see FIG. 3) to theunfolded position (see FIG. 2), the curved portion 4 d of the third part4 c is slowly escapes from the receiving space. When the unfolding angleE of the first and second bodies 1 and 2 reaches the movement limitingangle, the movable frame 332 slides in the direction G2 and the curvedportion 4 d flattens into the completely unfolded position of FIG. 2.

The foldable device 100 may be stopped at the unfolding angle E (seeFIG. 11) between the folded position and the unfolded position and maybe used in this particular state. Because the unfolding angle E may bewithin the range of 90° to about 180°, the sliding range of the movableframe 332 may be determined to correspond to the unfolding angle Eranging from about 90° to about 180°. In the exemplary embodiment, themovement limiting angle may be equal to or greater than 90°.

Furthermore, according to one or more exemplary embodiment, the foldabledevice 100 may be used in the completely unfolded state (FIG. 2).Although the foldable device 100 may be used in the state of FIG. 11,the foldable device 100 is rarely used at the unfolding angle E lessthan 120°. In the exemplary embodiment, the movement limiting angle maybe equal to or greater than 120°. Accordingly, the sliding range of themovable frame 332 may be determined to correspond to the unfolding angleE ranging from about 120° to about 180° so that the third part 4 c ofthe flexible display device 4 is not bent to have a concave or convexshape at the unfolding angle E ranging from about 120° to about 180°.

The sliding range of the movable frame 332 may be limited by a length L1of the recess 331-2 in the directions G1 and G2. A length L2 of thefirst rail 332-1 is less than the length L1 of the recess 331-2. Themovable frame 332 may slide a distance calculable as the differencebetween the lengths L1 and L2. When the unfolding angle E is, forexample, 120°, the first rail 332-1 may contact a side wall 331-2 c ofthe recess 331-2 in the longitudinal direction L. In the exemplaryembodiment, the side wall 331-2 c may function as a movement limitingmember that limits the sliding range of the movable frame 332.

Referring to FIG. 27, a movement limiting member 331-6 that contacts theend portion 332-3 in a longitudinal direction of the movable frame 332and limits the sliding range of the movable frame 332 may be provided onthe fixed frame 331. For example, when the unfolding angle E is 120°,the end portion 332-3 of the movable frame 332 may contact the movementlimiting member 331-6.

When the foldable device 100 changes from the unfolded state of FIG. 25to the folded state, the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4is curved in an arc shape. Because the flexible display device 4 iselastic, the flexible display device 4 tends to return to the unfoldedstate. If both the first and second parts 4 a and 4 b of the flexibledisplay device 4 are fixed to the first and second bodies 1 and 2, thethird part 4 c may fail to maintain a smooth curved shape (marked by asolid line of FIG. 20) and may deform to have the concave or convexshape 4 f of FIG. 20. However, because the first part 4 a of theflexible display device 4 is slidably supported on the first body 1, themovable frame 332 slides in the direction G1 due to an elastic force andthe third part 4 c maintains the smooth curved shape (marked by thesolid line of FIG. 20). Accordingly, when the foldable device 100 isused in the state having the unfolding angle E ranging from, forexample, about 180° to about 120°, an image displayed on the third part4 c may be prevented from being distorted.

The rail member 333 may be formed of a material having a low frictionalresistance so that the movable frame 332 slides smoothly. For example,the rail member 333 may be formed of polyacetal resin, oil-impregnatedplastic resin, or an oil-impregnated sintered metal material. Also, asshown in FIG. 27, a friction reducing member 336-1, i.e., a frictionreducer, may be disposed on the bottom surface 331-2 b of the recess331-2. The friction reducing member 336-1 may be attached to the bottomsurface 331-2 b of the recess 331-2 by using, for example, an adhesive,adhesive tape, or the like. A friction reducing member 336-2 may also bedisposed between the top surface 331-1 of the fixed frame 331 and themovable frame 332. The friction reducing members 336-1 and 336-2 may befilms formed of, for example, a fluorine resin-based material or filmsincluding a fluorine resin-based coating layer. The friction reducingmembers 336-1 and 336-2 may reduce at least one of static, kinetic, orrolling friction between the fixed frame 331 and the movable frame 332.

Referring to FIG. 26, the fixed frame 331 is coupled to the base cover11 to form a space in which the battery 9 is received between the fixedframe 331 and the base cover 11. It is necessary to limit the exposureof the battery 9 to moisture. To this end, the fastening hole 331-3 forfixing the rail member 333 to the fixed frame 331 extends downward fromthe fixed frame 331 and has a closed lower end portion. Accordingly,moisture may be prevented from entering into the space between the fixedframe 331 and the base cover 11 through the fastening hole 331-3.

Referring to FIG. 27, the fixed frame 331 is coupled to the base cover11 by using a fastening member 337, e.g., a fastener. Accordingly, anopening 331-4 through which the fastening member 337 passes is formed inthe fixed frame 331. The opening 331-4 passes through the fixed frame331. The friction reducing member 336-2 that is disposed on the topsurface 331-1 of the fixed frame 331 may cover the opening 331-4.Accordingly, the friction reducing member 336-2 may function as amoisture blocking member, i.e., a cover, a sealant, or a moistureblocker, that blocks moisture from penetrating into the space betweenthe fixed frame 331 and the base cover 11 through the opening 331-4.

When the foldable device 100 in the completely unfolded position of FIG.2 begins to be folded and the movable frame 332 begins to slide in thedirection G1, the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 maymove a distance from the first and second bodies 1 and 2 due toelasticity of the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 asshown in FIG. 28. That is, when both the first and second parts 4 a and4 b of the flexible display device 4 are fixed ends, the third part 4 cis curved downward as marked by a dashed line and does not move from thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2. However, because the first part 4 a ismoveable, the third part 4 c moves from the first and second bodies 1and 2 as marked by a solid line to forming a gap. A bottom surface ofthe flexible display device 4 may be exposed through the gap, and aforeign material may penetrate into the foldable device 100 through thegap.

In order to solve this problem, the amount of the third part 4 c of theflexible display device 4 that comes off from the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 may be reduced by applying a resistance to a movement ofthe movable frame 332 when the flexible display device 4 changes fromthe unfolded position to the folded position.

FIG. 29 is a cross-sectional view of a foldable device 100 according toan exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 29, a resistance member 338applies a resistance to a sliding movement of the movable frame 332 whenthe foldable display device 4 changes from the unfolded position to thefolded position. The resistance member 338 applies a resistance to amovement of the movable frame 332 when the unfolding angle E is greaterthan or equal to the movement limiting angle.

As the unfolding angle E decreases, a radius of curvature of the curvedportion 4 d decreases, and thus a force for making the flexible displaydevice 4 unfold increases. The force is applied so that the movableframe 332 slides in the direction G1. As the unfolding angle Edecreases, the resistance member 338 may apply a higher resistance to amovement of the movable frame 332.

Although the resistance member 338 may be a compression coil spring thatis supported by the first rail 332-1 and the side wall 331-2 c of therecess 331-2, one or more exemplary embodiments are not limited thereto.The resistance member 338 may be one of, as non-limiting examples, atension coil spring, a torsion coil spring, or a leaf spring as long asit may apply a resistance to a movement of the movable frame 332 whenthe first and second bodies 1 and 2 unfold.

Because the amount of the third part 4 c of the flexible display device4 that is curved when the foldable device 100 begins to fold is verysmall, a magnitude of an elastic force that is generated by the curve ofthe third part 4 c is very small. The elastic force is used as a forcefor making the movable frame 332 slide in the direction G1. When thefoldable device 100 begins to fold, because the movable frame 332 doesnot move or hardly moves due to a resistance applied by the resistancemember 338, the third part 4 c does not move from the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 as marked by the solid line of FIG. 28 or the movement isreduced. Accordingly, a size of the gap may be reduced and the gap maybe prevented from being formed. As the unfolding angle E decreases, theamount of the third part 4 c that is curved increases and thus amagnitude of an elastic force increases. In the exemplary embodiment,the movable frame 332 slides in the direction G1 to elastically deformthe resistance member 338, thereby increasing a resistance of theresistance member 338. The amount of coming-off of the third part 4 cfrom the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may be reduced due to aresistance applied by the resistance member 338 to the movable frame332, thereby reducing or preventing the gap. An elastic modulus of theresistance member 338 may be determined so that the third part 4 c isnot excessively curved to have the concave or convex shape 4 f of FIG.20.

A structure for slidably connecting the movable frame 332 to the fixedframe 331 is not limited to the exemplary structure described inreference to FIGS. 25 through 27.

For example, FIG. 30 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structurefor slidably connecting the movable frame 331 to the fixed frame 331according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIG. 30, a fixedbracket 331-5 is coupled by the fastening member 334 to the recess331-2. The coupling hole 331-3 into which the fastening member 334 isinserted has a closed lower end portion. A rail member 333 a that formsthe second rail 335 having a “⊂” shape is coupled to the fixed bracket331-5. The rail member 333 a may be inserted into and engage with, forexample, the “⊂” shaped portion 331-5 a of the fixed bracket 331-5. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the first rail 332-1 of the movable frame 332may slide in the directions G1 and G2 along the second rail 335.

FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure for slidablyconnecting a movable frame 332 to a fixed frame 331 in the widthdirection W according to an exemplary embodiment. The exemplaryembodiment of FIG. 31 is similar to the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 30except that there is no fixed bracket 331-5 and a rail member 333 b isdirectly coupled into the recess 331-2.

FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a structure for slidablyconnecting a movable frame 332 to a fixed frame 331 according to anexemplary embodiment. In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 32 the firstrail 332-1 has a double P-shape and the second rail 335 along which thefirst rail 332-1 is guided is directly coupled to the fixed frame 331.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 fold as shown in FIG. 28, thethird part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 may come off from thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2. The gap that is formed due to thecoming-off may be reduced by using the resistance member 338. Inaddition, the foldable device 100 may further include a structure forclosing the gap. The gap may be closed by covering side portions of thethird part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 in the width directionW.

For example, FIG. 33 is a side view of the foldable device 100completely unfolded according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 34 is aside view of the foldable device 100 having an unfolding angle Eaccording to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 35 is a side view of thefoldable device 100 folded according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 33 through 35, a shielding member 350, e.g., ashield, is disposed on both side of the flexible display device 4 in thewidth direction W. The shielding member 350 crosses between the firstand second bodies 1 and 2. One end portion 351 of the shielding member350 is pivotably coupled to one of the first and second bodies 1 and 2and the other end portion 352 of the shielding member 350 is slidablyconnected to the other of the first and second bodies 1 and 2. In theexemplary embodiment, the one end portion 351 of the shielding member350 is pivotably coupled to the first body 1. A guide slot 360, e.g., aguide, that extends in the longitudinal direction L is formed in thesecond body 2. An insertion protrusion 353 that is inserted into theguide slot 360 is provided on the other end portion of the shieldingmember 350.

When the foldable device 100 changes from the completely unfolded state(see FIG. 33) to the state having the unfolding angle E (see FIG. 34),the first and second bodies 1 and 2 approach each other. Accordingly,the shielding member 350 is guided by the guide slot 360 and is slowlyraised. As the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 slightlyseparates from the first and second bodies 1 and 2, the gap may beformed between the first and second bodies 1 and 2. Because theshielding member 350 covers the gap at a side of the third part 4 c, theinside of the foldable device 100 is not exposed. Also, a foreignmaterial may be impeded from entering through the gap. When the foldabledevice 100 changes to the completely unfolded state, the shieldingmember 350 is stored within the first and second bodies 1 and 2 as shownin FIG. 35. A length of the guide slot 360 is determined so that thefirst and second bodies 1 and 2 change between the unfolded state andthe folded state in consideration of a movement path of the insertionprotrusion 353 of the shielding member 350. Also, a height H of theshielding member 350 in a direction in which the shielding member 350 iselevated and a shape of the guide slot 360 may be determined so that thegap is closed at the unfolding angle E.

The amount of the shielding member 350 that is elevated may be adjustedby adjusting an inclination angle of the guide slot 360 in thelongitudinal direction L. For example, when the guide slot 360 is formedto be inclined upward with respect to the longitudinal direction L, amaximum height of the shielding member 350 may be greater than that whenthe guide slot 360 is formed in the longitudinal direction L. Incontrast, when the guide slot 360 is formed to be inclined downward withrespect to the longitudinal direction L, a maximum height of theshielding member 350 may be less than that when the guide slot 360 isformed in the longitudinal direction L.

In FIGS. 25 through 35, the first part 4 a of the flexible displaydevice 4 slides in the longitudinal direction L (or G1 and G2) relativeto the first body 1, and the second part 4 b is fixed to the second body2. FIG. 36 is a partial cross-sectional view illustrating the foldabledevice 100 according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 36, a dashedline indicates a folded state of the foldable device 100 and a solidline indicates an unfolded state of the foldable device 100. Referringto FIG. 36, when the foldable device 100 is unfolded, an edge 4 a-1 ofthe first part 4 a of the flexible display device 1 in the longitudinaldirection L is inwardly spaced apart from an inner edge 1 a of the firstbody 1 in the longitudinal direction L. When the foldable device 100folds, the first part 4 a of the flexible display device 4 slides towardthe inner edge 1 a of the first body 1 in the longitudinal direction Land the edge 4 a-1 is located adjacent to the inner edge 1 a of thefirst body 1. Accordingly, when the foldable device 100 is folded, aportion 1 b of the first body 1 adjacent to the inner edge 1 a iscovered by the first part 4 a of the flexible display device 4. When thefoldable device 100 is unfolded, the outer edge 4 a-1 of the flexibledisplay device 4 slides down the first body 1 and thus the portion 1 bof the first body 1 is exposed.

FIG. 37 is a perspective view of a foldable device 100 according to anexemplary embodiment. In FIG. 37, the flexible display device 4 is notshown. FIG. 38 is a cross-sectional view of a pen receiver 370 accordingto an exemplary embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 37 and 38, the foldabledevice 100 may further include a touch pen 400 for operating the touchpanel 42 (see FIG. 4) that is provided on the flexible display device 4.The touch pen 400 may be stored in the first body 1 or the second body2. According to one or more exemplary embodiments, the first part 4 a ofthe flexible display device 4 is slidably supported to move in thelongitudinal direction L on the first body 1 due to a structure of FIGS.25 through 35. When the foldable device 100 changes between the foldedstate and the unfolded state, the portion 1 b of the first body 1 iscovered by the first part 4 a of the flexible display device 4 or isexposed to the outside. The pen receiver 370 in which the touch pen 400is received is provided in the portion 1 b of the first body 1. Forexample, the pen receiver 370 may be a recess in the top surface 331-1of the fixed frame 331.

In the exemplary embodiment, as the foldable device 100 changes betweenthe unfolded state and the folded state, the pen receiver 370 may beopened/closed. When the foldable device 100 is folded, the pen receiver370 is covered by the first part 4 a of the flexible display device 4,and when the foldable device 100 is unfolded, the first part 4 a of theflexible display device 4 slides in the longitudinal direction L and thepen receiver 370 is opened. Accordingly, when the foldable device 100 isunfolded, the touch pen 400 may be placed in or taken out of the penreceiver 370.

The foldable device 100 may further include a pen fixing unit, i.e., apen holder or a pen receiver, which fixes the touch pen 400 to the penreceiver 370. For example, a toggle locking structure in which, when thetouch pen 400 is received in the pen receiver 370 and is pressed down bythe user, the touch pen 400 is locked in the pen receiver 370, and, whenthe touch pen 400 is pressed down again, the touch pen 400 is unlockedmay be used.

FIGS. 39 and 40 are cross-sectional views of a pen fixing unit accordingto an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 39 illustrates a state where the touchpen 400 is unlocked and FIG. 40 illustrates a state where the touch pen400 is locked. FIG. 41 is a schematic view of the toggle lockingstructure according to an exemplary embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 39 and 40, an elevation plate 371, one pair oflocking arms 372, and a toggle spring 373 are illustrated. The elevationplate 371 is provided to be moved along a guide wall 374 of the penreceiver 370. The toggle spring 373 applies an elastic force to theelevation plate 371 so that the elevation plate 371 is raised. Thelocking arms 372 are guided by the guide wall 374 as the elevation plate371 is elevated, and thus a distance between the locking arms 372 isincreased or reduced as shown in FIGS. 39 and 40. For example, lockinghooks 372 a for locking the touch pen 400 in the pen receiver 370 areprovided on first end portions of the locking arms 372 and the secondend portions of the locking arms 372 are connected to the elevationplate 371 by flexible connection portions 372 b. In the exemplaryembodiment, when the elevation plate 371 is raised as shown in FIG. 39and the distance between the locking arms 372 may be increased, thetouch pen 400 may be placed between the locking arms 372 or may be takenout from between the locking arms 372. Also, when the elevation plate371 is lowered as shown in FIG. 40, and the elevation plate 371 isguided by the guide wall 374 and the distance between the locking arms372 is reduced, the touch pen 400 is caught by the locking hooks 372 aand is locked in the pen receiver 371.

Referring to FIG. 41, a cam protrusion 371 a is provided on theelevation plate 371. A cam path 375 that guides the cam protrusion 371 ais provided on the guide wall 374. The cam path 375 may include a firstpath 375 a along which the cam protrusion 371 a is guided when theelevation plate 371 is lowered and a second path 375 b along which thecam protrusion 371 a is guided when the elevation plate 371 is raised.

A first elastic arm 376 that locks the cam protrusion 371 a at a loweredposition is provided on a lower end portion of the first path 375 a. Thefirst elastic arm 376 has a position that closes the first path 375 aand a position that opens the first path 375 a. A second elastic arm 377has a position that isolates the first path 375 a and the second path375 b and a position that connects the first path 375 a and the secondpath 375 b.

In the state of FIG. 39, the first elastic arm 376 is in the positionthat closes the first path 375 a. As the elevation plate 37 is lowered,the cam protrusion 371 a is lowered along the first path 375 a and thefirst elastic arm 376 is pushed by the cam protrusion 371 a and iselastically bent to the position that opens the first path 375 a asmarked by a dashed line of FIG. 41. When the elevation plate 371 reachesthe lowered position of FIG. 40, the cam protrusion 371 a escapes fromhooks 376 a that are provided on a lower end portion of the firstelastic arm 376 as denoted by 371 a-1, and the first elastic arm 376returns to the position that is marked by a solid line to close thefirst path 375 a. Accordingly, even when an elastic force is applied bythe toggle spring 373 so that the elevation plate 371 is raised, becausethe cam protrusion 371 a is caught by the hooks 376 a, the elevationplate 371 is not raised along the first path 375 a and the elevationplate 371 is maintained at the position of FIG. 40. The touch pen 400 islocked in the pen receiver 370 by the locking hooks 372 a.

In the state of FIG. 40, when the touch pen 400 is pressed, theelevation plate 371 is slightly lowered, the second elastic arm 377 ispushed by the cam protrusion 371 a to be bent to a position thatconnects the first and second paths 375 a and 375 b as marked by adashed line of FIG. 41, and the cam protrusion 371 a enters the secondpath 375 b as denoted by 371 a-2. When interference with the camprotrusion 371 a ends, the second elastic arm 377 returns to a positionthat isolates the first and second paths 375 a and 375 b as marked by asolid line of FIG. 41. When a force for pressing the touch pen 400 isremoved in this state, the elevation plate 371 is raised to the positionof FIG. 39 due to an elastic force of the toggle spring 373 and the camprotrusion 371 a is guided by the second path 375 b. When the elevationplate 371 reaches the position of FIG. 39, a distance between thelocking arms 372 is increased and the touch pen 400 is unlocked.

In the exemplary embodiment, the touch pen 400 may be received in andremoved from the first body 1. Because the pen receiver 370 isopened/closed by the flexible display device 4 as the foldable device100 unfolds/unfolds, an additional cover for opening/closing the penreceiver 370 is not necessary. When the foldable device 100 folds,because the touch pen 400 and the pen receiver 370 are not exposed tothe outside, a degree of freedom in designing an outer appearance of thefoldable device 100 may be improved.

Further, a structure for receiving the touch pen 400 is not limited to astructure of FIGS. 37 through 41. For example, FIG. 42 is a partialperspective view of a foldable device 100 according to an exemplaryembodiment. Referring to FIG. 42, the touch pen 400 may be received inor taken out of the pen receiver 370 in the width direction W through apen insertion hole 380. A toggle structure of FIGS. 39 through 41 may beused as a pen fixing unit for fixing the touch pen 400 in the penreceiver 370. For example, FIGS. 43 and 44 are cross-sectional viewsillustrating the pen fixing unit according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 43 illustrates a state where the touch pen 40 is unlocked and FIG.44 illustrates a state where the touch pen 400 is locked. The pen fixingunit of FIGS. 43 and 44 are different from the pen fixing unit of FIGS.39 and 40 in that a movement direction in which the elevation plate 371moves is the width direction W. Also, the locking hooks 372 a providedon the locking arms 372 are inserted into a locking groove 401 that isformed in the touch pen 400 at the position of FIG. 44 to lock the touchpen 400 in the pen receiver 370. A toggle locking structure of FIG. 41may be used as a toggle locking structure. In the exemplary embodiment,the first and second paths 375 a and 375 b may be formed in the widthdirection W.

In the exemplary embodiment, the touch pen 400 may be locked in the penreceiver 370 by being inserted through the pen insertion hole 380. Ahead 402 of the touch pen 400 may not project from a side surface 1 c ofthe first body 1 in the width direction W. In order to remove the touchpen 400 out from the pen receiver 370, the foldable device 100 mayunfold to open the pen receiver 370 and the touch pen 370 is pushed inthe width direction W to unlock the touch pen 400. Next, the touch pen400 may be taken out through the pen insertion hole 380. In theexemplary embodiment, because the head 402 of the touch pen 400 does notproject from the side surface 1 c of the first body 1 in the widthdirection W when the touch pen 400 is received in the pen receiver 370,a degree of freedom in designing an outer appearance of the foldabledevice 100 may be improved.

A structure for locking/unlocking the touch pen 400 in the pen receiver370 is not limited to the toggle locking structure. The pen fixing unitmay have any structure that may lock the touch pen 400 in the penreceiver 370 and may unlock the touch pen 400 in order to take out thetouch pen 400 from the pen receiver 370 when necessary. For example, thepen fixing unit may have a snap-fit structure for elasticallylocking/unlocking the touch pen 400 to/from the pen receiver 370.

When the foldable device 100 changes from an unfolded position to afolded position, the third part 4 c may move from the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 as marked by a solid line due to an elastic force of theflexible display device 4 to form a gap and a bottom surface of theflexible display device 4 may be exposed through the gap or a foreignmaterial may penetrate into the foldable device through the gap, asdescribed above with reference to FIG. 28.

In order to solve this problem, an amount of the third part 4 c of theflexible display device 4 that moves from the first and second bodies 1and 2 may be reduced by restricting a movement amount of the movableframe 332 according to a folding/unfolding angle. A restriction unit 500for restricting a movement amount of the movable frame 332 according toa folding/unfolding angle according to an exemplary embodiment will nowbe explained.

FIG. 45 is a partial perspective view of a foldable device according toan exemplary embodiment. FIG. 45 corresponds to a partial perspectiveview of the foldable device 100 of FIG. 25 viewed from a back of thefoldable device without a cover as the first and second base covers 11and 21 are omitted from FIG. 25. Although not shown in FIG. 45, themovable frame 332 may be connected to the fixed fame 331 to slide in thelongitudinal direction L (or G1 and G2 in FIG. 24) by using anystructure of, for example, FIG. 26, 30, 31, or 32. FIG. 46 is anenlarged view illustrating a portion “AA” of FIG. 45. FIG. 47 is anenlarged view illustrating a portion “BB” of FIG. 45.

Referring to FIG. 45, because the first and second gears 35-1 and 35-2of the respective first and second bodies 1 and 2 engage with eachother, the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may respectively rotate indirections P1 and P2 marked by arrows about the central axes 301 and30-2 and may change from the unfolded position of FIG. 2 to the foldedposition of FIG. 3.

In the exemplary embodiment, the restriction unit 500 may include afirst slider 510 that is supported on the fixed frame 331 to slide inthe longitudinal direction L and is connected to the movable frame 332,and a first connection member 520 that has one end portion 521 connectedto the second body 2, for example, the second frame 22 and extends in adirection intersecting the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 to the first body1.

The first connection member 520 may be, for example, a flexible wire.The first connection member 520 extends past pulleys 531 and 532 to thefirst body 1. When the foldable device folds, the first connectionmember 520 is partially wound around the pulleys 531 and 532 and theother end portion 522 of the first connection member 520 approaches thecentral axes 30-1 and 30-2. A movement amount of the movable frame 332may be restricted by sliding the first slider 510 to a desired positionby using a change in an amount of the first connection member 520 woundaround the pulleys 531 and 532 according to a folding/unfolding angle ofthe foldable device, that is, a change in a position of the other endportion 522 of the first connection member 520 with respect to thecentral axes 30-1 and 30-2.

When the foldable device folds, the movable frame 332 slides away fromthe central axes 30-1 and 30-2 (i.e., a direction corresponding to G1).Accordingly, it is necessary to move the first slider 510 in a directionthat is opposite to a direction in which the other end portion 522 ofthe first connection member 520 moves. To this end, a combination of arack and a pinion may be used. Referring to FIGS. 45 and 46, a rack gear540 is provided on the fixed frame 331 to slide in the longitudinaldirection L. Also, a pinion 550 is provided on the fixed frame 331 toengage with the rack gear 540. For example, a guide shaft 560 thatextends in the longitudinal direction L may be provided on the fixedframe 331, and the rack gear 540 may be slidably supported on the guideshaft 560. A first rack gear portion 511 that engages with the pinion550 is provided on the first slider 510. The other end portion 522 ofthe first connection member 520 is connected to the rack gear 540.

In the exemplary embodiment, when the foldable device changes from anunfolded position to a folded position, the rack gear 540 moves towardthe central axes 30-1 and 30-2, that is, in a direction 51, and thefirst slider 510 moves in a direction S2 that is opposite to thedirection 51, due to the first connection member 520. In contrast, whenthe foldable device changes from the folded position to the unfoldedposition, the rack gear 540 moves away from the central axes 30-1 and30-2, that is, in the direction S2, and the first slider 510 moves inthe direction 51 that is opposite to the direction S2, due to the firstconnection member 520.

Reference number 570 is a return spring that applies a tensile force tothe first connection member 520 so that the other end portion 522 movesin the direction S2 when the foldable device unfolds and the firstconnection member 520 is unwound from the pulleys 531 and 532. Forexample, the return spring 570 is connected to the rack gear 540 andapplies an elastic force so that the rack gear 540 moves in thedirection S2.

Referring to FIG. 47, a restricting protrusion 332-4 that protrudesdownward through a through-hole 331-6 formed in the fixed frame 331 isprovided on the movable frame 332. A restricting arm 512 that isconnected to the restricting protrusion 332-4 and restricts a movementof the movable frame 332 is provided on the first slider 510. In theexemplary embodiment, the restricting arm 512 is disposed outside therestricting protrusion 332-4, that is, the restricting arm 512 isprovided farther from the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 than therestricting protrusion 332-4 is.

FIG. 48 is a schematic view for explaining an operation of therestriction unit 500. FIG. 49 is a schematic view for explaining achange in an amount of the first connection member 520 wound around thepulleys 531 and 532 during a folding/unfolding process. “POSITION A” ofFIG. 48 and FIG. 49 is a state where the first and second bodies 1 and 2are in an unfolded position. The first connection member 520 contactsthe pulleys 531 and 532, and is not wound around the pulleys 531 and532. In this state, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 begin tofold, the first connection member 520 begins to be wound around thepulleys 531 and 532. “POSITION B” of FIG. 48 and FIG. 49 is a statewhere the first and second bodies 1 and 2 fold at an angle of 90°. Inthe exemplary embodiment, the first connection member 520 is wound by alength of N1+N2 around the pulleys 531 and 532, the rack gear 540 movesin the direction S1 by the length of N1+N2, and the first slider 510moves in the direction S2 by the length of N1+N2. When the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 reach a completely folded position, the firstconnection member 520 is wound by a length of N3+N4 around the pulleys531 and 532 as shown as “POSITION C” of FIG. 48 FIG. 49, the rack gear540 moves in the direction S1 by the length of N3+N4, and the firstslider 510 moves in the direction S2 by the length of N3+N4.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 change from the folded positionto the unfolded position, the first connection member 520 is unwoundfrom the pulleys 531 and 532, the rack gear 540 moves in the directionS2 due to an elastic force of the return spring 570, and the firstslider 510 moves in the direction S2.

An amount of the movable frame 332 that moves in the direction S2 whenthe foldable device folds is restricted by the restricting arm 512. Thatis, although the movable frame 332 moves in the direction S2 due to anelastic force of the flexible display device 4, the movable frame 332 iscaught by the restricting arm 512 and thus an amount of the movableframe 332 that moves in the direction S2 is restricted. Also, when thefoldable device unfolds, the movable frame 332 moves in the direction S1due to an elastic force of the flexible display device 4, and when amovement amount of the movable frame 332 is less than a movement amountof the restricting arm 512, the restricting arm 512 pushes therestricting protrusion 332-4. Accordingly, even when the foldable deviceunfolds, an amount of the movable frame 332 that moves in the directionS1 may be restricted by the restricting arm 512.

Accordingly, the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 may notmove from the first and second bodies 1 and 2 and may be stablysupported on the first and second bodies 1 and 2 as marked by a dashedline of FIG. 28, thereby minimizing the risk of forming a gap. Also, asshown in FIG. 24, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are used at aposition having a predetermined unfolding angle of, for example, 120°,between the folded position and the unfolded position, a gap between thethird part 4 c of the flexible display device 4 and the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 may be minimized.

Also, a folding/unfolding path difference between the flexible displaydevice 4 and the first and second bodies 1 and 2 during afolding/unfolding process may be compensated to reduce a compressiveforce or a tensile force applied to the flexible display device 4, andthe possibility that the third part 4 c of the flexible display device 4is bent inward or outward to have the concave or convex shape 4 f ofFIG. 20 may be reduced.

Although two pulleys 531 and 532 are used in the above exemplaryembodiments, one pulley may be used or three or more pulleys may beused. Also, although the rack gear 540 and the first slider 510 move inthe opposite directions at a ratio of 1:1 in the above exemplaryembodiments, a movement ratio between the rack gear 540 and the firstslider 510 may be changed as desired. For example, FIG. 50 is aschematic view of a structure for adjusting a movement ratio between therack gear 540 and the first slider 510 according to an exemplaryembodiment. Referring to FIG. 50, three pinions 551, 552, and 553 aredisposed between the rack gear 540 and the first rack gear portion 511of the first slider 510. At least one of the pinions 551, 552, and 553is a speed change gear for reduction or multiplying. For example, thepinion 551 is a reduction gear in FIG. 50. Accordingly, a movementamount of the first slider 510 may be less than a movement amount of therack gear 540. When it is difficult to sufficiently increase an amountof the first connection member 520 wound around the pulleys 531 and 532,the first slider 510 may be moved by a desired amount by using amultiplying gear.

A movement amount of the movable frame 332 according to afolding/unfolding angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 maybe controlled by using shapes of the pulleys 531 and 532. Accordingly,the movable frame 332 may be moved to minimize the risk of forming agap. For example, when the pulleys 531 and 532 have circular shapes, themovable frame 332 linearly moves according to the folding/unfoldingangle. The movable frame 332 may be non-linearly moved according to thefolding/unfolding angle by changing shapes of the pulleys 531 and 532. Astructure for non-linearly moving the movable frame 332 is illustratedin FIG. 51. Referring to FIG. 51, pulleys 531 a and 532 a that havenon-circular shapes and respectively rotate about the central axes 30-1and 30-2 along with the first and second bodies 1 and 2 are illustrated.Distances of contact points of the pulleys 531 a and 532 a that contactthe first connection member 520 from the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 varyaccording to rotation angles of the pulleys 531 a and 532 a.

FIG. 52 is a graph illustrating a movement distance of the movable frame332 according to a folding/unfolding angle between the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 according to an exemplary embodiment. In FIG. 52, C1denotes a movement distance of the movable frame 332 according to thefolding/unfolding angle for minimizing a gap. C2 denotes a movementdistance of the movable frame 332 according to the folding/unfoldingangle when the pulleys 531 and 532 having circular shapes are used. C3denotes a movement distance of the movable frame 332 according to thefolding/unfolding angle when the pulleys 531 a and 531 b of FIG. 51having non-circular shapes are used. C4 denotes a difference between themovement distances C1 and C2. C5 denotes a difference between themovement distances C1 and C3. Referring to FIG. 52, a difference betweenthe movement distance C3 and a desirable movement distance of themovable frame 332 is very small, and thus the risk of forming a gap maybe less than that in the case of the movement distance C2. As such, amovement amount of the movable frame 332 according to thefolding/unfolding angle may be restricted to minimize the risk offorming a gap by changing shapes of pulleys from which the firstconnection member 520 is unwound.

Although a flexible wire is used as the first connection member 520 inthe above exemplary embodiments, the first connection member 520 is notlimited thereto. For example, the first connection member 520 may be anymaterial having elasticity (e.g., bending elastic). Accordingly, whenthe first and second bodies 1 and 2 unfold and the first connectionmember 520 is unwound from the pulleys 531 and 532, the first connectionmember 520 may push the rack gear 540 in the direction S2 due to anelastic force of the first connection member 520. Hence, the returnspring 570 may be omitted.

Referring back to FIG. 24, the first and second bodies 1 and 2respectively include the first and second receivers 122 and 222. Asdescribed above with reference to FIGS. 19A and 19B, when the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 are in a folded position, the first and secondreceivers 122 and 222 may be in a first position retreated from theflexible display device 4 in order to receive the curved portion 4 d ofthe flexible display device 4, and when the first and second bodies 1and 2 are in an unfolded position, the first and second receivers 122and 222 may be in a second position that supports the third part 4 c ofthe flexible display device 4. The first and second receivers 122 and222 may be provided on the first and second frames 12 and 22 to pivotbetween the first and second positions about the hinges 123 and 223.

The first and second receivers 122 and 222 may be maintained at thesecond position until a reception start position, and when the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 begin to unfold past the reception start position,the first and second receivers 122 and 222 may change to the firstposition. As described above, the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may beused by being locked at a position (e.g., an inclined position) havingthe unfolding angle E between the unfolded position and the foldedposition. In order to stably support the flexible display device 4 atthe inclined position, the first and second receivers 122 and 222 may bemaintained at the second position until the first and second bodies 1and 2 reach the inclined position from the unfolded position.Accordingly, a reception start angle may be equal to or less than anangle corresponding to the inclined position. Because the foldabledevice is rarely used at an unfolding angle that is less than 90°, thefirst and second receivers 122 and 222 may be maintained at the secondposition when the unfolding angle ranges from about 180° to about 90°.

The foldable device may further include a support unit that maintainsthe first and second receivers 122 and 222 at the second position untilthe first and second bodies 1 and 2 reach the reception start positioncorresponding to the reception start angle from the unfolded position,and allows the first and second receivers 122 and 222 to move to thefirst position when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 fold past thereception start position.

For example, FIG. 53 is a perspective view of a support unit 600according to an exemplary embodiment. FIG. 53 corresponds to a partialperspective view of FIG. 24 view of a rear of the foldable device 100.In FIG. 53, the first and second base covers 11 and 21 are omitted. Astructure of the support unit 600 for moving the first receiver 122between the first position and the second position may apply to thesecond receiver 222, and thus only the support unit 600 for the firstreceiver 122 will now be explained.

Referring to FIG. 53, the support unit 600 may include a second slider610 that is supported on the first frame 12 to slide in the longitudinaldirection L, and a second connection member 620 that has one end portion621 connected to the second body 2, for example, the second frame 22,and extends past the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 to the first body 1 tobe connected to the second slider 610. A rotation cam 650 is connectedto the second slider 610 and rotates as the second slider 610 moves.

The second connection member 620 may be, for example, a flexible wire.The second connection member 620 extends past pulleys 533 and 534 to thefirst body 1. When the foldable device folds, the second connectionmember 620 is partially wound around the pulleys 533 and 534, and theother end portion 622 of the second connection member 620 approaches thecentral axes 30-1 and 30-2. The second slider 610 may be moved by usinga change in an amount of the second connection member 620 wound aroundthe pulleys 533 and 534, that is, a change in a position of the otherend portion 622 with respect to the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 accordingto a folding/unfolding operation of the foldable device.

A return spring 660 applies an elastic force so that the second slider610 moves away from the central axes 30-1 and 30-2 when the foldabledevice unfolds and the second connection member 620 is unwound from thepulleys 533 and 534.

In the exemplary embodiment, when the foldable device changes from theunfolded position to the folded position, the second slider 610 moves tothe central axes 30-1 and 30-2 due to the second connection member 620.In contrast, when the foldable device changes from the folded positionto the unfolded position, the second slider 610 moves away from thecentral axes 30-1 and 30-2 due to an elastic force of the return spring660.

For example, a guide shaft 640 that extends in the longitudinaldirection L may be provided on the first frame 12, and the second slider610 may be slidably supported on the guide shaft 640. The second slider610 includes a second rack gear portion 611. A pinion 630 that engageswith the second rack gear portion 611 is provided on the first frame 12.

The rotation cam 650 is rotatably provided on the first frame 12. Therotation cam 650 is connected to the pinion 630. Accordingly, therotation cam 650 may rotate as the second slider 610 moves. The firstreceiver 122 may be pivotably connected to the fixed frame 331 by usingthe hinge 123. The first receiver 122 is supported on the rotation cam650 that is located under the first receiver 122.

FIG. 54 is a side view of the rotation cam 650 according to an exemplaryembodiment. Referring to FIG. 54, the rotation cam 650 includes a firstcam track 652 whose distance from a center of rotation 651 is constantand a second cam track 653 whose distance from the center of rotation651 is reduced. While the first receiver 122 is supported by the firstcam track 652, the first receiver 122 is maintained at the secondposition. When contact between the first receiver 122 and the first camtrack 652 ends, the first receiver 122 is supported by the second camtrack 653 and pivots to the first position.

FIGS. 55A, 55B, and 55C are each a schematic view for explaining anoperation of a support unit 600 according to an exemplary embodiment.FIG. 55A illustrates a state where the first and second bodies 1 and 2are in the unfolded position. The first receiver 122 is supported by thefirst cam track 652 and is maintained at a support position.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 begin to fold from the state ofFIG. 55A, the second connection member 620 begins to be wound around thepulleys 533 and 534. Next, the second slider 610 slides toward thecentral axis 30-1 and the rotation cam 650 rotates. Because the firstreceiver 122 is guided by the first cam track 652 until the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 reach the reception start position as shown inFIG. 55B, the first receiver 122 is maintained at the second position.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 fold past the reception startposition, contact between the first cam track 652 and the first receiver122 ends and the first receiver 122 is supported by the second cam track653. Next, the first receiver 122 pivots away from a back surface of theflexible display device 4 due to its weight and a receiving space beginsto be formed in the first and second bodies 1 and 2. The third part 4 cof the flexible display device 4 is gently curved and begins to bedisposed within the receiving space.

When the first and second bodies 1 and 2 reach the folded position asshown in FIG. 55C, the first receiver 122 reaches the first position anda receiving space is formed in the first and second bodies 1 and 2 asshown in FIG. 3. The curved portion 4 d is formed on the third part 4 cof the flexible display device 4 and is disposed within the receivingspace. In the folded state, the first part 4 a and the second part 4 bof the flexible display device 4 face each other to be disposed close toeach other, and the third part 4 c is curved from the first and secondportions 4 a and 4 b into the first and second bodies 1 and 2 to have awater droplet shape and is disposed within the receiving space. Hence,the foldable device may be very compact in the folded state.

The return spring 660 is connected to the second slider 610 and appliesa tensile force to the second connection member 620 having a wire shape.Accordingly, when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 unfold, the secondslide 610 slides, due to an elastic force of the return spring 660, in adirection that is opposite to a direction in which the second slide 610slides when the first and second bodies 1 and 2 folds, and the rotationcam 650 also rotates in the opposite direction. Accordingly, the firstreceiver 122 returns from the first position to the second position.

The second connection member 620 may be any material having elasticity(e.g., bending elastic). In the exemplary embodiment, when the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 unfold and the second connection member 620 isunwound, the second connection member 620 pushes the second slider 610due to an elastic force in a direction that is opposite to a directionin which the second connection member 620 pulls when the first andsecond bodies 1 and 2 fold. Accordingly, the return spring 660 may beomitted.

A rotation amount of the rotation cam 650 according to afolding/unfolding angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 maybe appropriately adjusted by disposing one or more speed change gearsbetween the second rack gear portion 611 and the pinion 630.

The restriction unit 500 and the support unit 600 may be realized byusing a motor. FIG. 56 is a block diagram illustrating an example wherethe restriction unit 500 and the support unit 600 are realized by usinga motor. Referring to FIG. 56, a folding/unfolding detector 701 isillustrated. The folding/unfolding detector 701 detects afolding/unfolding angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2.

When the flexible display device 4 folds, a tensile stress is applied toa back surface of the flexible display device 4 and a compressive stressis applied to a front surface of the flexible display device 4. Due tothese stresses, a length of the flexible display device 4 slightlychanges. A strain gauge that detects a slight change in a length of theflexible display device 4 may be used as the folding/unfolding detector701. The strain gauge may be disposed on or adjacent to the third part 4c of the flexible display device 4 whose curvature is greatly changedduring folding/unfolding. A resistance value of the strain gauge variesaccording to a strain. For example, the resistance value of the straingauge increases as the foldable device folds and decreases as thefoldable device unfolds. That is, the resistance value of the straingauge is inversely proportional to the folding/unfolding angle of thefoldable device. The controller 8 may detect a folding operation or anunfolding operation based on whether the resistance value of the straingauge increases or decreases. For example, the controller 8 maydetermine that the folding operation starts when the resistance valuedecreases to be less than a first resistance value, and may determinethat the unfolding operation ends when the resistance value continuouslydecreases to be less than a second resistance value. In contrast, thecontroller 8 may determine that the folding operation starts when theresistance value increases to be greater than the second resistancevalue, and may determine that the folding operation ends when theresistance value continuously increases to be greater than the firstresistance value. Also, an unfolding angle between the first and secondbodies 1 and 2 may be detected from the resistance value of the straingauge.

An optical sensor that directly detects a rotation angle of the firstand second bodies 1 and 2 with respect to the first and second centralaxes 30-1 and 30-2 by using a light-detecting method may be used as thefolding/unfolding detector 701.

The controller 8 generates a first driving signal including a movementamount and a movement direction of the first slider 510 based on adetection signal of the folding/unfolding detector 701. The controller 8may control a first driving motor 711 to move the first slider 510 basedon the first driving signal. For example, the first connection member520, the rack gear 540, and the return spring 570 in FIG. 45 may beomitted, and the first driving motor 711 may directly rotate the pinion550. Accordingly, the restriction unit 500 for restricting a movementamount of the movable frame 332 according to a folding/unfolding anglebetween the first and second bodies 1 and 2 may be realized.

The controller 8 generates a second driving signal including a rotationamount and a rotation direction of the rotation cam 650 based on adetection signal of the folding/unfolding detector 701. The controller 8may control a second driving motor 712 to rotate the rotation cam 650based on the second driving signal. For example, the second connectionmember 620, the second slider 610, and the return spring 660 in FIG. 53may be omitted, and the second driving motor 712 may directly rotate thepinion 630 or the rotation cam 650. Accordingly, the support unit 600for selectively changing the first and second receivers 122 and 222 tothe first position or the second position according to afolding/unfolding angle between the first and second bodies 1 and 2 maybe realized.

While exemplary embodiments have been particularly shown and describedabove, it will be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art thatvarious changes in form and details may be made therein withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of the inventive concept as definedby the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A foldable device comprising: a flexible displaycomprising a first part, a second part, and a third part disposedbetween the first part and the second part; a first body configured tosupport the first part; a second body connected to the first body andconfigured to support the second part; and a shielding member providedon the first body and the second body, wherein each of the first bodyand the second body are configured to move between a folded position anda unfolded position, and wherein the shielding member is configured tocover: a side portion of the third part of the flexible display, and agap between the third part of the flexible display and the first bodyand the second body, during transition of the first body and the secondbody throughout moving between the folded position and the unfoldedposition.
 2. The foldable device of claim 1, wherein, when the firstbody and the second body are in the folded position, the first body andthe second body form a receiving space, and wherein, when the first bodyand the second body are in the folded position, the third part comprisesa curved portion of the flexible display and the curved portion isprovided within the receiving space.
 3. The foldable device of claim 2,wherein the shielding member comprises a first end portion and a secondend portion, wherein a guide is provided in one of the first body andthe second body, wherein the first end portion of the shielding membercomprises a protrusion configured to be inserted into the guide in asliding manner, and wherein the second end portion of the shieldingmember is pivotably connected to the other of the first body and thesecond body.
 4. The foldable device of claim 3, wherein the guideextends in a longitudinal direction on one of the first and the secondbody.
 5. The foldable device of claim 2, wherein the first body and thesecond body are foldably connected to each other.